Author(s):
grandville (nancy, 15–09–1803 - vanves, 17–03–1847), designer
bulla, joseph, editor
langlumé, pierre (poitiers, 1790 - 1830), designer-lithographer
other title: the metamorphoses of the day (title of the series)
production date: between 1828 and 1829
type(s) of object(s): graphic arts, print
name(s): print
materials and techniques: lithography
dimensions - artwork:
height: 27. 5cm
width: 35. 9cm
dimensions - image:
height: 17cm
width: 22cm
dimensions - mounting:
height: 50cm
width: 40cm
marks, inscriptions, hallmarks:
signature - j. Grandville
letter - the metamorphoses of the day n°51
letter - mine is insured too, i don't care. Registration - paris at bulla, rue st jacques n°38, and at martinet, rue du coq. Inscription - lith. By langlumé
iconographic description:
a fire rages on the roofs of several houses. We can see the tiles, the chimneys and the windows of the basement attacked by the flames. Four firefighters, recognizable by their shiny helmets, are trying to put out the fire. They are represented with elephant heads and it is with their trunks that they pour water onto the flames. In a corner of the image a man with the head of an owl observes the scene from his window. In the background, a man with the head of a phoenix stands erect, smiling in the middle of the smoke and the fire. Excerpt from métamorphoses du jour (editions gustave havard libraire, paris, 1854): "the firefighter is, day and night, prepared to run the greatest dangers to save the houses threatened by the flames; and, singularly, in the midst of the most violent fires, it very often happens that only one person keeps the greatest peace of mind: it is the owner, especially when his building has been insured for double its value. "
themes / subjects / places represented:
social subject, morals, fire, elephant, firefighter, owl, flames
mode of acquisition: purchase
date of acquisition: 21–02–1986
institution: maison de balzac
inventory number: bal925(bh). Date: Entre 1828 et 1829.
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