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), designer-lithographer
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. 4cm
dimensions - picture:
height: 27cm
width: 18cm
dimensions - mounting:
height: 50cm
width: 40cm
description:
lithograph on wove paper. Marks, inscriptions, hallmarks:
title of the work - above the image: "conjugal ladder"
legend - under the image: "8th ascending echelon"
inscription concerning the author - under the image on the left: wattier deltunder the image on the right: lith. By g. Engelmann under the caption on the right: sazerac and duval publisher 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 illustrates the last level of the “illusions” part: “hymen! ô hymenée. "the wedding night is suggested by the shadows that appear behind the drapery of the four-poster bed, and by the wedding dress and the shawl thrown on an armchair. Opposite, the groom's tailcoat rests on the back of an armchair, the top hat at his feet, as do the shoes. An angelic figure is seated in this same armchair, he holds a torch pointing downwards. Naked, a crown of red flowers adorns her long brown hair, and her angel wings are folded. On the left, a cupid flutters, brandishing a bow and a rose, the quiver on his back. This theme, dear to balzac, is found in one of his first writings: the physiology of marriage. "weaned from all these nuances of pleasure, from all these whims of the soul, from these arrows of love, you are reduced to the most vulgar ways of loving, to this primitive and innocent allure of marriage, a peaceful homage that the naive adam paid to our common mother, and which undoubtedly suggested to the serpent the idea of denying her. But such a complete symptom is not common. Most households are too good christians to follow the customs of pagan greece. We have also included among the latest symptoms the appearance in the peaceful nuptial bed of these brazen voluptuousnesses which, most of the time, are the offspring of an illegitimate passion. »
themes / subjects / places represented:
social subject, morals, bed, angel, torch, rose
mode of acquisition: purchase
institution: maison de balzac
inventory number: bal98. 199. Date: En 1824.
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