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: 26. 8cm
width: 33. 5cm
dimensions - picture:
height: 16. 5cm
width: 22. 2cm
dimensions - mounting:
height: 50cm
width: 40cm
marks, inscriptions, hallmarks:
signature - j. Grandville
letter - the metamorphoses of the day n°63
letter – go then… mole!
inscription - lith. By langlumé
registration - at bulla, rue st jacques n°38, and at martinet, rue du coq. Iconographic description:
in the paths of a park, a man seduces a young lady (probably a nurse, as her breton headdress suggests), while another chases away a flashily dressed lady with his foot. These four characters are represented with animal heads. The rejected woman has a mole's head under her big hat. The discourteous man who pushes her away has the head of a fish, we can even say that he is a pimp, which would suggest his job as a pimp (which his clothes and his attitude could already suggest). The seduced young woman has the head of a horse, we cannot see that of her interlocutor who has his back turned to us. This illustration is a staging of the relationship between pimps and prostitutes. Excerpt from métamorphoses du jour (editions gustave havard libraire, paris, 1854): "this mole, whom you might be tempted to pity upon seeing exposed to the insults and violence of this rascal, reserve your pity for a better occasion. The mole is no better than him, or rather the mole and the fish are equal"
themes / subjects / places represented:
subject of society, morals, fish, nurse = governess, pimp, young girl, prostitution
mode of acquisition: purchase
date of acquisition: 21–02–1986
institution: maison de balzac
inventory number: bal925(br). Date: between 1828 and 1829.
Loading...
