Author(s):
monnier, henry bonaventure (paris, 07–06–1799 - paris, 03–01–1877 — 3–6–1877), designer
bertauts (printing house), printer
other title: memories of artists (series title)
dating in century: 19th century
type(s) of object(s): graphic arts, print
name(s): print
materials and techniques: ink, paper
dimensions - artwork:
height: 29. 6
width: 43
dimensions - picture:
height: 13. 9
width: 16. 5
description:
black and white print on paper. Marks, inscriptions, hallmarks:
title of the work - top left: "artists' memories"
title of the work - bottom left: "an owner"
inscription concerning the author - under the image at the bottom left: "h. Monnier lith. "
inscription concerning the author - under the image at the bottom right: "imp. Bertauts, paris"
number - top right: "362"
inscription - in pencil: "b. 64/monnier/henri monnier/original lithograph"
iconographic description:
in a rural setting of small woods, rural house and dirt road, a man stands very straight. He is dressed in a frock coat and holds his hat in his hand as well as his cane. 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: "in all the markets, ten leagues around, the peasants asked those of montégnac: -- "how is your bourgeoisie?" thus the great idea of death hovered over this country, in the middle of this rural picture. From a distance, in the meadow, more than one reaper ironing his scythe, more than one young girl, with his arm resting on his fork, more than one farmer from the top of his stack, upon seeing madame graslin, remained pensive" [excerpt from le curé de village, by honoré de balzac]
themes / subjects / places represented:
subject of society, morals, campaign
institution: maison de balzac
inventory number: bal2012. 1. 13. Date: Unknown.
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