Author(s):
monnier, henry bonaventure (paris, 07–06–1799 - paris, 03–01–1877 — 3–6–1877), designer
other title: songs of béranger (title of the series)
production date: in 1828
dating in century: 19th century
type(s) of object(s): graphic arts, print
name(s): print
materials and techniques: laid paper, watercolor
dimensions - artwork:
height: 15. 2cm
width: 22. 5cm
dimensions - album:
height: 15. 7cm
width: 24cm
description:
colored engraving
marks, inscriptions, hallmarks:
title of the work - under the image: the blind mother
inscription concerning the author - under the image on the left: henry monnier
author inscription - under the image on the right: lith. Rue n. D des victoires, 16. Iconographic description:
in a simple interior a funny scene plays out. In the right part of the image, a blind woman holding a cane and reaching out her hand seems to be looking for something, at her feet her dog is alert. A young girl is seated near her spinning wheel and a bale of wool/linen, a young man embraces her, both turn in astonishment towards the blind woman. Illustration of the words of béranger's song "the blind mother" of which here is an extract: "while spinning your flax, listen to me carefully, my daughter. Already your heart skips in the name of young colin. Fear what he advises you. Although blind, i watch; to everything i lend an ear, and you sigh lowly. Your colin is only a traitor. . . But you open the window; lise, you do not spin. "bérager (1780-1857) was a prolific and extremely popular french singer-songwriter to whom balzac refers in several of his novels. "this worthy gentleman particularly hated priests, he was part of this large herd of simpletons who subscribed to the constitutionnel, and was very concerned about the refusal of burials. He adored voltaire, although his preferences were for piron, vadé, collé. Naturally he admired béranger, whom he ingeniously called the high priest of lisette's religion. His daughters, madame camusot and madame protez, his two sons, would be, according to a popular expression, fallen from their height, if someone had explained to them what their father meant by: singing about mother godichon!” [excerpt from a beginning in life, by honoré de balzac]
themes / subjects / places represented:
literary scene, domestic interior, dog
mode of acquisition: purchase
institution: maison de balzac
inventory number: bal2007. 63. Date: En 1828.
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