Author(s):
monnier, henry bonaventure (paris, 07–06–1799 - paris, 03–01–1877 — 3–6–1877), designer
bernard, charles louis (paris, 29–06–1769 - paris, 11–09–1848), designer-lithographer
giraldon and bovinet, editor
other title: recreation (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: 23cm
width: 31. 4cm
dimensions - picture:
height: 14cm
width: 16. 3cm
description:
colored print
marks, inscriptions, hallmarks:
wet stamp - t. H. : monogram a m and 2 r next to each other?
number - above image: pl: 18
title of the work - above the image: recreations
caption - in the image, bottom: promise of marriage
inscription concerning the author - under the image on the left: henry monnier under the image on the right: lith de bernard
registration concerning the event - under the image on the right: published by giraldon bovinet passage vivienne n°26
iconographic description:
the backstage of a theater (a piece of decor can be seen in the background). A middle-aged man dressed in a long overcoat stands in front of a young lady dressed as a shepherdess. He lifts her chin with a gesture of his hand and a lustful smile comes to life on his face. Behind the young woman, an old lady watches the scene. Behind the man, a servant in livery carries a bundle. In the background of this group, a couple of men walk away arm in arm, the one on the right is dressed as an ancient roman (toga and sandals). 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: "the visitor to whom the mysteries of parisian life would have been unknown would certainly have learned not to set foot in the backstage of the theater; soon marked as a man capable of the greatest darkness, the woman surprised in his mysteries of the morning would have spoken of his stupidity and his indiscretion in such a way as to ruin him. " [excerpt from the employees, by honoré de balzac]
themes / subjects / places represented:
subject of society, morals, theater, show costume
institution: maison de balzac
inventory number: bal91. 61. Date: Unknown.
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