Author(s):
monnier, henry bonaventure (paris, 07–06–1799 - paris, 03–01–1877 — 3–6–1877), designer
delpech, françois seraphin (orléans, 1778 - 1825), designer-lithographer
other title: yesterday & today (series title)
dating in century: 19th century
type(s) of object(s): graphic arts, print
name(s): print
materials and techniques: vellum paper, watercolor, lithography
dimensions - artwork:
height: 22. 8cm
width: 28. 9cm
dimensions - image:
height: 15. 7cm
width: 14. 6cm
description:
colored print
marks, inscriptions, hallmarks:
wet stamp - t. H. (back, cut): monogram a m and 2 r next to each other?
title of the work - above the image: jadis
caption - under the image: a prosecutor. Inscription concerning the author - under the image on the left: henry monnier under the image on the right: i. Lith de delpech
iconographic description:
in one study, four clerks are busy. In the foreground, two men look at the same document. Two large mirrors cover one of the walls, a library is stocked with files and archive boxes. The costumes and ornaments of the piece are typical of the ancien régime. 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: "one morning, reading the newspapers that lousteau all received, two lines reminded her of sancerre and its past, two lines to which she was no stranger and here: royal court of paris. " -- how he loves you, this virtuous magistrate! said the journalist, smiling. "[excerpt from the muse of the department, by honoré de balzac]
themes / subjects / places represented:
subject of society, morals, court, employee - employee
institution: maison de balzac
inventory number: bal91. 111. Unknown date
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