Author(s):
grandville (nancy, 15–09–1803 - vanves, 17–03–1847), designer
bulla, joseph, editor
langlumé, pierre (poitiers, 1790 - 1830), designer-lithographer
other title: the metamorphoses of the day (title of the series)
production date: between 1828 and 1829
type(s) of object(s): graphic arts, print
name(s): print
materials and techniques: lithography
dimensions - artwork:
height: 27. 6cm
width: 36. 4cm
dimensions - picture:
height: 16. 5cm
width: 19. 6cm
dimensions - mounting:
height: 50cm
width: 40cm
marks, inscriptions, hallmarks:
signature - j. Grandville
letter - the metamorphoses of the day n°38
letter - hold my little rats. Dear friend! i wish you good and happy
inscription - lith. By langlumé
registration - at bulla, rue st jacques n°38 and at martinet rue du coq
iconographic description:
in this scene, a wealthy bourgeois couple, represented with cat heads, comes to wish a happy new year to a young mother, she with a mouse face, of more modest appearance and her two children. The wife wearing a bulky hat eagerly embraces the mother mouse. The husband leans towards the two mouse children and pours them into the aprons they hold out sweets that he takes out of a rat trap! excerpt from métamorphoses du jour (published by gustave havard libraire, paris, 1854): what a beautiful day, the first day of the year! [. . . ]the bad grace of the donors responding to the humble obsequiousness of the requesters [. . . ]what do you say about this cat and this cat running to bring happy new year wishes and toys to the rat's family? gifts that are mousetraps, caresses that precede mortal wounds. "
themes / subjects / places represented:
social subject, morals, mouse, cat, kiss, child
mode of acquisition: purchase
date of acquisition: 21–02–1986
institution: maison de balzac
inventory number: bal925(au). Date: Entre 1828 et 1829.
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