Author(s):
wattier, émile charles (paris, 17–11–1800 - paris, 22–11–1868), designer-lithographer
engelmann, godefroy (mulhouse, 17–08–1788 - paris, 25–04–1839), engraver
other title: the conjugal ladder (title of the series)
production date: in 1824
dating in century: 19th century
type(s) of object(s): graphic arts, print
name(s): print
materials and techniques: lithography, vellum paper
dimensions - artwork:
height: 34. 1cm
width: 25. 3cm
dimensions - picture:
height: 27. 9cm
width: 18. 8cm
dimensions - mounting:
height: 50cm
width: 40cm
description:
lithograph on wove paper. Marks, inscriptions, hallmarks:
title of the work - "marital ladder / 2nd ascending ladder / trouble"
author inscription - "wattier delt / lith. De g. Engelmann"
registration concerning the test - "sazerac and duval editor passage de l'opéra staircase a"
iconographic description:
emile wattier suggests following the evolution of a couple, by establishing two series of eight illustrations – i. Illusions, ii. The realities - where each corresponds to a level, either ascending or descending, of a stage in the lives of the two lovers. Here, the artist depicts "the trouble", present at the beginning of the passion. The crowd that can be seen in the background accentuates the intimate character of the scene that takes place in the foreground. Sheltered by the trees, contextualizing the bucolic setting that accompanies a walk in the park, the young girl humbly looks at the ground, under an umbrella. Her ruffled dress, held by a belt, is decorated with a yellow and blue striped scarf. Attention is paid to grooming, as indicated by the bun and earrings. Her discreet smile and her gloved hand which absently plays with her scarf betray the fact that she does not remain indifferent to the presence of the young man. The latter, further back to his left, this time dropped his hat to devote himself, arms crossed on a fence, to the contemplation of the young girl that his telescope allows him. The young dandy, with his feet like a dancer, wears a jabot and a shirt under his frock coat, as well as a pair of gloves. An overturned chair in front of him supports his hat, next to a chair supporting a drapery embroidered in red and blue, as well as a large yellow hat with a blue bow that the young girl has abandoned in favor of a parasol, hiding from the sun and the trouble that the presence of the young man causes her. This theme, dear to balzac, is found in one of his first writings: the physiology of marriage. “--yes, madman. Pressure marriage, nothing will ever come out of it but fun for the boys and boredom for the husbands. This is the eternal morality. A million printed pages will have no other substance. »
themes / subjects / places represented:
subject of society, morals, couple, park, umbrella
mode of acquisition: purchase
date of acquisition: 1998
institution: maison de balzac
inventory number: bal1998. 193. Date: En 1824.
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