Les extravagances, BAL98.60, Henry Monnier

Author(s): monnier, henry bonaventure (paris, 07–06–1799 - paris, 03–01–1877 — 3–6–1877), designer senefelder et cie, designer-lithographer gihaut frères, publisher dating in century: 19th century type(s) of object(s): graphic arts, print name(s): print materials and techniques: lithography, vellum paper, watercolor dimensions - artwork: height: 35. 7cm width: 26cm dimensions - image: height: 23. 2cm width: 18. 2cm description: colored print marks, inscriptions, hallmarks: title of the work - under the image: les extravagances inscription concerning the author - under the image on the left: henry monnier author inscription - below the image on the right: lith de senefelder registration concerning the proof - under the image: chez gihaut frères, editeurs. Iconographic description: two men dressed in an eccentric way: very high shoulder pads, exaggeratedly fitted waists, scarves tied so high that they cover their mouths. Actor, playwright and designer, henry monnier helped illustrate la comédie humaine. His engravings of administrative morals, and especially his play scenes from bureaucratic life, clearly inspired balzac for his novel la femme supérieure, renamed les employés. The same references to the customs of their time often inspired the two artists in parallel on numerous subjects as we can see in the following extract: "henri did not respond. This young man had a sad quality, because we regard as a great thing everything that resembles strength, and often men deify extravagances. Henri did not know how to forgive. The ability to return, which is certainly one of the graces of the soul, was nonsense for him. ". [excerpt from the girl with golden eyes, by honoré de balzac] themes / subjects / places represented: subject of society, morals, men's fashion institution: maison de balzac inventory number: bal98. 60. Unknown date