Les Contrastes. The Contrast's, BAL2013.50, Henry Monnier, En 1827

Author(s): monnier, henry bonaventure (paris, 07–06–1799 - paris, 03–01–1877 — 3–6–1877), designer senefelder et cie, designer-lithographer production date: in 1827 dating in century: 19th century type(s) of object(s): graphic arts, print name(s): print materials and techniques: lithography, vellum paper, watercolor dimensions - artwork: height: 20. 5cm width: 28cm description: colored print marks, inscriptions, hallmarks: title of the work - under the image: les contrastes. The contrast's author inscription - below the image on the right: senefelder lith. Inscription concerning the author - under the image on the left: henry monnier iconographic description: a trio of dancers: a man in fitted pants, a small vest and scarf, cheerfully grabs a very gironde dancer by the waist, while he places his hand on the shoulder of a frail young girl with more detachment. The curvaceous dancer smiles and performs a jumping jig. The frail young woman looks away and stands very demure. 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: "and she remained thoughtful while listening to the noise of the sabbath made by her sister-in-law, a real horse at work, and who, lending a hand to her two servants, cleared the table, removed everything in the dining room, in order to deliver it to the dancers, vociferating like a frigate captain on a watch bench, preparing for an attack. “do you still have any redcurrant syrup! go and buy some orgeat,” or “there are not many glasses, little red water, and take the six bottles of ordinary wine that i have just brought up. ” themes / subjects / places represented: subject of society, morals, dancer mode of acquisition: purchase institution: maison de balzac inventory number: bal2013. 50. Date: En 1827.