Author(s):
monnier, henry bonaventure (paris, 07–06–1799 - paris, 03–01–1877 — 3–6–1877), designer
gaugain, henri-armand pierre, editor
ardit, e. , editor
duvert, auguste (paris, 12–01–1795 - paris, 19–10–1876), man or woman of letters - writer
date of production: 1827
type(s) of object(s): graphic arts, print
name(s): print
materials and techniques: lithography, watercolor, laid paper
dimensions - artwork:
height: 31cm
width: 22cm
dimensions - image:
height: 23cm
width: 16. 2cm
dimensions - mounting:
height: 40cm
width: 30cm
description:
title page for the publication les grisettes, drawn from nature by henry monnier
marks, inscriptions, hallmarks:
inscription - bottom: "2"
iconographic description:
on an armchair are placed a dress, a hat, a coat, on the floor are boxes of hats and fashion accessories. 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: "cécile beauvisage, a young person of nineteen years old, had just put on a dress in linen gray silk, trimmed with darker gray frogs, and which appeared in front of a frock coat. The wimple bodice, decorated with buttons and jockeis, ended in a point in front, and laced from behind like a corset, this false corset perfectly outlined the back, the hips and the bust. The skirt, trimmed with three rows of tapering, made charming folds, and announced by its cut and its style the skill of a paris seamstress, a pretty kerchief, trimmed with lace, fell over the bodice. Straw decorated with a foamy rose. Her hands were gloved in black mesh mittens. She wore tanned skin boots; finally, except for her little sunday appearance, this figure-like appearance, drawn in the fashion magazines, must have delighted cécile's father and mother. " [excerpt from le député d'arcis, by honoré de balzac]
themes / subjects / places represented:
still life, hat, armchair, dress
mode of acquisition: purchase
institution: maison de balzac
inventory number: bal 98-117. Date: 1827.
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