Author(s):
monnier, henry bonaventure (paris, 07–06–1799 - paris, 03–01–1877 — 3–6–1877), designer-lithographer
motte, charles (in 1785 - in 1836), designer-lithographer
dating in century: 19th century
type(s) of object(s): graphic arts, print
name(s): print
materials and techniques: ink, paper
dimensions - artwork:
height: 33cm
width: 25. 2cm
description:
engraving printed in black and white on paper. Marks, inscriptions, hallmarks:
title of the work - under the image: "the cochers. /of the dead and the living. "
inscription concerning the author - under the image, above the title: "henry monnier del/ litho del motte"
iconographic description:
two men in coachman's outfits stand opposite each other. The one on the left, thin and sad, is a hearse driver with his characteristic hat. The one on the right, smiling and pot-bellied, is a cab driver, he wears ribbons, flowers and a wig. 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: "this useless race of empty cars often takes place. When the dead enjoy no fame, attract no crowds, there are always too many cars. The dead must have been well loved in their lives so that in paris, where everyone would like to find a twenty-fifth hour in each day, we follow a relative or a friend to the cemetery. But the coachmen would lose their tips if they did not do their job. So, full or empty, the carriages go to the church, to the cemetery, and they return to the funeral home, where the drivers ask for a tip. We cannot imagine the number of people for whom death is a watering hole. Gravediggers, these spongy natures retire bloated by plunging into a hearse. " [excerpt from le cousin pons, by honoré de balzac]
themes / subjects / places represented:
subject of society, morals, caricature - humorous drawing, carriage
institution: maison de balzac
inventory number: bal2012. 1. 15. Date: Unknown.
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