Le vieux Célibataire. BAL2007.84, 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 old bachelor. 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 plush domestic interior cluttered with disparate furniture, a pot-bellied old man sits in a large armchair. He draws a rather shy grisette onto his knees who enjoys tickling his nose with the tip of her finger. Illustration of the words of béranger's song "the old single man" of which here is an extract: "to my desires, what! babet refuses! mademoiselle, would you have a lover? of my nephew the jockey amuses you; but think about it: i am making my will. Docile at last, delivers without resistance to my kisses this breast which seduced me. Come on, babet, a little complacency, an eggnog and my nightcap. "bérager (1780-1857) was a prolific and extremely popular french singer-songwriter 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, grisette, old man, domestic interior mode of acquisition: purchase institution: maison de balzac inventory number: bal2007. 84. Date: En 1828.