Author(s):
wattier, émile charles (paris, 17–11–1800 - paris, 22–11–1868), designer-lithographer
engelmann, godefroy (mulhouse, 17–08–1788 - paris, 25–04–1839), engraver
other title: the conjugal ladder (title of the series)
production date: in 1824
dating in century: 19th century
type(s) of object(s): graphic arts, print
name(s): print
materials and techniques: lithography, vellum paper
dimensions - artwork:
height: 34cm
width: 25. 7cm
dimensions - picture:
height: 26. 6cm
width: 18cm
dimensions - mounting:
height: 50cm
width: 40cm
description:
colored lithograph on wove paper. Marks, inscriptions, hallmarks:
title of the work - above the image: "conjugal ladder"
legend - under the image: "3rd descending rung / reproaches"
inscription concerning the author - under the image on the left: "wattier delt" / under the image on the right: "lith. De. G. Engelmann" / under the caption on the right: "sazerac et duval editor passage de l'opéra staircase a". Iconographic description:
emile wattier suggests following the evolution of a couple, by establishing two series of eight illustrations – i. Illusions, ii. The realities - where each corresponds to a level, either ascending or descending, of a stage in the lives of the two lovers. Here, the artist represents the situation which is getting worse for the couple with “reproaches”. The woman faces her husband, betraying an impatient gesture with her right hand. Her left hand holds a blue parasol which completes her worldly outfit already composed of a hat with a wide veil, earrings, a flowered shawl worn in the crook of the elbow, and a buckled belt on her long green dress with a tight collar. Her blonde hair is tied with a ribbon reminiscent of her hat. Ready to leave or coming home, is she accusing or being accused? her husband, slumped in a chair, his elbow resting on the backrest, gestures to himself, apparently outraged by his wife's behavior, or by the reproaches that the latter invokes. Her dressing gown drags on the floor. His stockings are undone, his hair is not combed. This theme, dear to balzac, is found in one of his first writings: the physiology of marriage. “we didn’t just have the resource of reproach. How much relief a quarrel would have given us! »
themes / subjects / places represented:
subject of society, morals, couple, dressing gown
mode of acquisition: purchase
institution: maison de balzac
inventory number: bal98. 203. Date: En 1824.
Loading...
