Les Gueux, BAL2007.52, En 1828

Author(s): monnier, henry bonaventure (paris, 07–06–1799 - paris, 03–01–1877 — 3–6–1877), designer other title: songs of béranger (title of the series) production date: in 1828 dating in century: 19th century type(s) of object(s): graphic arts, print name(s): print materials and techniques: laid paper, watercolor dimensions - artwork: height: 15. 2cm width: 22. 5cm dimensions - album: height: 15. 7cm width: 24cm description: colored engraving marks, inscriptions, hallmarks: title of the work - under the image: the gueux inscription concerning the author - under the image on the left: henry monnier author inscription - under the image on the right: lith. Rue nd des victoires, 16. Iconographic description: in a wood with a mountain in the background, a group of women, men and children in rags stand with folded hands in prayer. Illustration of the words of béranger's song "les gueux" of which here is an extract: "in parnassus, misery has reigned for a long time, they say. What goods did homer own? a bag, a stick. The beggars, the beggars, are happy people; they love each other. Long live the beggars!" béranger (1780-1857) is a prolific and extremely popular french singer to whom balzac refers in several of his novels. "this worthy gentleman particularly hated priests, he was part of this large herd of simpletons who subscribed to the constitutionnel, and was very concerned about the refusal of burials. He adored voltaire, although his preferences were for piron, vadé, collé. Naturally he admired béranger, whom he ingeniously called the high priest of lisette's religion. His daughters, madame camusot and madame protez, his two sons, would be, according to a popular expression, fallen from their height, if someone had explained to them what their father meant by: singing about mother godichon!” [excerpt from a beginning in life, by honoré de balzac] themes / subjects / places represented: literary scene, poverty - misery, forest - wood, mountain mode of acquisition: purchase institution: maison de balzac inventory number: bal2007. 52. Date: En 1828.