Author(s):
monnier, henry bonaventure (paris, 07–06–1799 - paris, 03–01–1877 — 3–6–1877), designer
villain, françois (buire-au-bois, in 1790 - in 1852), designer-lithographer
gihaut frères, publisher
other title: general exploitation of the fashions and ridiculousness of paris and london (series title)
production date: 1825
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: 34. 1cm
width: 23. 3cm
dimensions - picture:
height: 21. 4cm
width: 14cm
description:
colored print
marks, inscriptions, hallmarks:
number - above the image on the right: n°2
caption - under the image: will you do me the honor, mademoiselle?. . Inscription concerning the author - under the image on the left: henry monnier
inscription concerning the author - under the image on the right: lith de villain, rue de sèvres n°23
registration concerning the proof - under the image on the right: chez gihaut frères, publishers
iconographic description:
a dapper, tight-waisted man in his black suit, high tie and white gloves stands in the center of the dance floor at a ball. In the background, couples waltz. 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: "madame de langeais began to waltz with a sort of fury and passion that was redoubled by the heavy gaze of montriveau. He remained standing, in front of those who were enjoying seeing the waltzers. Each time his mistress passed in front of him, her eyes looked down on this whirling head, like those of a tiger sure of his prey. The waltz finished, the duchess came and sat down near the countess, and the marquis did not stop looking at her while talking with a stranger. [the duchess of langeais, by honoré de balzac]
themes / subjects / places represented:
social subject, morals, ball, couple, dancer
institution: maison de balzac
inventory number: bal98-64c. Date: 1825.
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