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: 23cm
dimensions - picture:
height: 27cm
width: 19cm
dimensions - mounting:
height: 50cm
width: 40cm
description:
colored lithograph on wove paper. Marks, inscriptions, hallmarks:
title of the work - above the image: "conjugal ladder". Caption - under the image: "5th echelon descending / the fury". 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 presents the tension at its peak in the couple with “the fury”. The movement and fury of this domestic scene are seen in the dandy's green coat and frill which a lively gesture animates, where the wife's blond hair flies in the wind, the undone bun dazed, the husband, curled up, looks with amazement and fear at his wife while arming himself with a chair with his right hand. The wife, her eyes bulging, brandishes a bust and a mallet above her head, ready to use them to knock out her husband. The black ribbon around the waist of her long-sleeved purple dress flies in the wind. The chair, the hat boxes, the cushions and the crumpled carpet which litter the floor bear witness to the violence of this scene, where words of reproach and objects are thrown at each other. This theme, dear to balzac, is found in one of his first writings: the physiology of marriage. “then one evening passion will carry you away, and, finding a pretext in a trifle, you will make a scene, during which your anger will snatch from you the secret of the extremes to which you will reach. »
themes / subjects / places represented:
subject of society, morals, couple, chair
mode of acquisition: purchase
institution: maison de balzac
inventory number: bal98. 205. Date: En 1824.
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