Author(s):
monnier, henry bonaventure (paris, 07–06–1799 - paris, 03–01–1877 — 3–6–1877), designer
ardit, e. , printer-lithographer
gaugain, henri-armand pierre, editor
other title: les grisettes (title of the series)
date of production: 1827
type(s) of object(s): graphic arts, print
name(s): print
materials and techniques: vellum paper, watercolor, lithography
dimensions - artwork:
height: 27. 8cm
width: 21cm
dimensions - image:
height: 13cm
width: 10cm
dimensions - mounting:
height: 40cm
width: 30cm
description:
plate 2 from the series "les grisettes" by henry monnier, paris, ardit et gaugain, 1827
marks, inscriptions, hallmarks:
inscription - above the image on the left: "grisettes" and on the right: "pl. 2" under the image on the left: "henry monnier" and on the right: "lith. De e. Ardit" under the letter in the middle: "published by e. Ardit rue de la monnaie, n°11 and ch. Henry gaugain, r. Vivienne n°2"
caption - under the image: i don't like snickers
iconographic description:
a couple is talking. The man gestures with his right hand and holds his top hat with his left hand. The woman stands before him with a closed face. 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 at the same time on numerous subjects as we can see in the following extract: "after having satisfied the first demands of gluttony, our neighbors arrived where we were from our dinner, at dessert; and, thanks to our polite cohabitation, they believed themselves alone. With the smoke of the cigars, with the help of champagne wine, through the gastronomic amusements of dessert, an intimate conversation began. Imbued with this icy spirit which stiffens the most elastic feelings, stops the most generous inspirations, and gives something sharp to laughter, this talk full of the bitter irony which changes gaiety into sneer, blames the exhaustion of souls left to their own devices, with no other aim than the satisfaction of selfishness, the fruit of the peace in which we live. " [excerpt from la maison nucinguen, by honoré de balzac]
themes / subjects / places represented:
subject of society, morals, grisette
mode of acquisition: purchase
institution: maison de balzac
inventory number: bal 98-119. Date: 1827.
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