Author(s):
monnier, henry bonaventure (paris, 07–06–1799 - paris, 03–01–1877 — 3–6–1877), designer
delpech, françois seraphin (orléans, 1778 - 1825), printer-lithographer
other title: parisian sketches (series title)
date of production: 1827
type(s) of object(s): graphic arts, print
name(s): print
materials and techniques: vellum paper, watercolor, lithography
dimensions - artwork:
height: 25. 7cm
width: 35. 4cm
dimensions - picture:
height: 19. 7cm
width: 19. 4cm
dimensions - mounting:
height: 40cm
width: 30cm
description:
plate 3 from the series parisian sketches by henry monnier, 1827, in paris, from imp. Lithog. From delpech, quai voltaire n°3
marks, inscriptions, hallmarks:
inscription - above the line in the middle: "esquisses parisiennes" and on the right: "3" under the line on the left: "henry monnier" and on the right: "i. Lith. De delpech"
legend - under the image: a gentleman with good fortune
iconographic description:
in a plush interior furnished with a large bench, a gilded frame, a console where a globe and a sculpture have been placed, three people are conversing. A servant in a white apron and white cap leans towards a young woman seated embroidering a white fabric. At the other end of the bench, a middle-aged man dressed as a bourgeois is sprawled, his legs spread and stretched out in front of him, looking placidly at the two women. 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: "félicie could only kiss her sister. -- besides, continued marguerite, he has a fortune. His family is of the highest and oldest bourgeoisie. But would it then be me who would oppose your happiness if you want to find it in a mediocre condition?. . . " [extract from the search for the absolute, by honoré de balzac]
themes / subjects / places represented:
subject of society, morals, domestic interior, top hat, sewing and needlework, rentier
mode of acquisition: purchase
institution: maison de balzac
inventory number: bal 98-133. Date: 1827.
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