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 marital ladder (series title)
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: 33. 8cm
width: 25. 3cm
dimensions - picture:
height: 26. 2cm
width: 19. 5cm
dimensions - mounting:
height: 50cm
width: 40cm
description:
colored lithograph on wove paper. Marks, inscriptions, hallmarks:
title of the work - "above the image: marital scale"
caption - "under the image: 7th ascending rung / the blessing"
author inscription - under the image on the left: "wattier delt / under 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 a major scene: "the blessing" of the newlyweds. In the center, the priest wears a skullcap, a gold and purple stole around his neck. A cross and four candles are behind the man of the church who blesses the young couple for their marriage – here he is immersed in his reading of the religious text. On the right, the young girl has in fact put on a long white dress: her arms are and her hands are gloved, a veil hides her blonde hair pulled up in a bun. We can see a bracelet, a necklace and white shoes. Behind her, a woman with a hat tied under her chin with a pink bow, a pink feather adorning this same headgear, holds an open missal. A yellow shawl is held at the crook of the elbows, partly covering her green dress. The bride humbly looks at her husband's hand which she is holding. The latter looks at his young wife with affection. He wears a jabot, a tailcoat and black stockings in shoes with gold buckles. Behind him, a man, hands on hips, took off his headgear. Wearing black leather boots, a tailcoat and a jabot, he looks at the young couple. This theme, dear to balzac, is found in one of his first writings: the physiology of marriage. “however, here is my first proposition: marriage is an all-out fight before which the two spouses ask heaven for its blessing, because always loving each other is the most reckless of undertakings; the fight does not take long to begin, and victory, that is to say freedom, remains with the most skillful. »
themes / subjects / places represented:
subject of society, morals, couple, marriage, priest
mode of acquisition: purchase
institution: maison de balzac
inventory number: bal98. 198. Date: En 1824.
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