Author(s):
monnier, henry bonaventure (paris, 07–06–1799 - paris, 03–01–1877 — 3–6–1877), designer
delpech, françois seraphin (orléans, 1778 - 1825), printer-lithographer
other title: interior of paris boutiques (series title)
production date: around 1828
type(s) of object(s): graphic arts, print
name(s): print
materials and techniques: lithography, vellum paper
dimensions - artwork:
height: 25. 4cm
width: 34. 3cm
dimensions - image:
height: 19. 3cm
width: 21. 2cm
dimensions - mounting:
height: 40cm
width: 30cm
marks, inscriptions, hallmarks:
inscription - under the line on the left: "hri monnier" and on the right: "i. Lith. De delpech"
iconographic description:
in an art gallery, six people are assembled. In the center of the composition, a lady and a child are seated and attentively admire a print. On the left of the image, two men are standing, one of them bends over the print held by the seated lady. On the right a man has a drawing board tucked under his arm, while a young woman holds a print which she details. 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: "arriving at the display of a print dealer, this almost dead man met a young woman who came from a brilliant crew. He deliciously contemplated this charming person whose white face was harmoniously framed in the satin of an elegant hat; he was seduced by a slender figure, by pretty movements; the dress, lightly raised by the step, allowed him to see a leg whose fine contours were outlined by a well-drawn white stocking. The young woman entered the store, bargained for albums and collections of lithographs; she bought several gold coins which sparkled and jingled on the counter. The young man, apparently busy on the threshold of the door looking at the engravings displayed in the watch, exchanged eagerly with the beautiful stranger the most piercing glance that could be cast. A man, against one of those carefree glances cast randomly at passers-by. " [excerpt from la peau de chagrin, by honoré de balzac]
themes / subjects / places represented:
subject of society, morals, print, boutique = store, art gallery
mode of acquisition: purchase
institution: maison de balzac
inventory number: bal 98-141. Date: Vers 1828.
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