Author(s):
monnier, henry bonaventure (paris, 07–06–1799 - paris, 03–01–1877 — 3–6–1877), draftsman, designer-lithographer
giraldon and bovinet, editor
other title: the puppets (title of the series)
dating in century: 19th century
type(s) of object(s): graphic arts, print
name(s): print
materials and techniques: lithography, vellum paper, watercolor
dimensions - artwork:
height: 24. 2cm
width: 32cm
dimensions - image:
height: 17. 2cm
width: 19cm
description:
colored print
marks, inscriptions, hallmarks:
title of the work - above the image: the puppets
legend - under the image: a poor devil pays for his boots
inscription concerning the author - under the image on the left: henry monner del. Under the image on the right: imp lith de f. Noël
registration concerning the test - under the image, under the caption: published by giraldon bovinet, passage vivienne n°26 in paris - & at london frith street soho square n°54
iconographic description:
the scene takes place in a hall lined with columns. In the background, card players are seated at a table. In front of the table, on the floor, several pairs of boots are lined up. A servant, with an apron around his waist and a broom in his hand, leads a sheepish-looking man towards the exit, holding his hat and a note in one hand and a pair of boots in the other. 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: "the good man, who adored coralie, looked at the boots and did not dare look up at his mistress. -- should i be upset about this pair of boots and leave coralie? to leave her! that would be to get angry over nothing. There are boots everywhere. These would be better placed in the display of a shoemaker, or on the boulevards to walk on the legs of a man. However, here, without legs, they say many things contrary to fidelity. I am fifty years old, it is true: i must be blind like love. [excerpt from lost illusions, by honoré de balzac]
themes / subjects / places represented:
social subject, morals, boot, card game
institution: maison de balzac
inventory number: bal98. 69. Unknown date
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