Jean-Ignace-Isidore GRANDVILLE (1803-1847) - Lot 293

Jean-Ignace-Isidore GRANDVILLE (1803-1847) "The False Gods of Olympus" Pen and brown ink on two assembled sheets 25.7 x 43.7 cm Provenance: artist's studio, dry-stamped lower center (Lugt n°1478a) Our drawing is preparatory to plates no. 200 and 201 published in volume 4, September 20, 1832, of La Caricature morale, religieuse, littéraire et scénique. Here is the description of this plate: Assembly of members of the July government, disguised as Olympian gods or personifications of concepts. In the foreground, from left to right: Thiers as a flying Mercury, a small blindfolded putto representing the Juste-Milieu holding a quiver containing the "LOURDS TRAITS" of the pro-government newspapers ("MONITE [...] [MONITEUR]", "NOUVELL [...] [NOUVELLISTE]", "[JOURNAL DES] DÉBATS"), a Venus surrounded by bags of gold, decorations (epaulettes, crosses of honor, scarves...). She is also holding small statuettes on her lap (Némésis and probably Le Figaro, i.e. the two newspapers that were once in opposition, and then served the government, which bought their silence with money). Baron Louis, in the background, represents Avarice, resting his hooked feet on a bag of gold. In the background, from left to right: Talleyrand as Vulcan, forging chains and protocols ("PROTOCOLE // N°73050", "BELGIQUE", "ANGLETE [...] [ANGLETERRE]", "PROTOC [...] // N°74051"), oaths ("SERMENS [SERMENTS] // de // 93 à 1832"), the story of the "révol [revolution]", Cerberus guarding the prisons of "Ste PELAGIE", "LA FORCE" (three-headed dog covered with police caps). Discord holding not an apple, but a pear, and Cupidity holding a register of "AGIOT" above the temple of the Bourse. Third plan, left to right: d'Argout as a statue of Pan in term (with palette and brushes at base), the furies: Persil with his "saisies" and "condamnation", Guizot and his guizotine (the third furie is not identified). Soult as Mars brandishes a candle, a figure (?) holds a bent pitchfork and a dungeon key. Barthe as Thémis holds a double sword and scales, Girod de l'Ain as Bacchus, Lobau as Neptune holding a clyster syringe ending in a trident. Viennet as Apollo (or Orpheus?) plays the "PHILIPPIDE" on the harp, while Montalivet, representing Flattery, pours ambrosia (in the form of papers with the inscriptions: "TRES FIDELE SUJET // FLATTERIE") into the cup of Louis-Philippe as Jupiter, accompanied by his rooster treading arms, and wearing a pear-shaped crown. Behind him, Peace with its branch, and Fear with its hare. The Duc d'Orléans as Hercules, leaning on his club bearing the inscription "DISCOURS", Dupin as Momus, god of Folly, with a shoe as his hobgoblin. And finally, Sébastiani as a peacock (probably Juno). In the background, a flying figure representing the "MONITEUR" newspaper, Night, spreading poppies, and a zodiac used to denote the various events of recent months ("JUIN 1832" with a libra, "JUILLET 1832" with a lion, "AOUT 1832" with a scorpion, "SEPTEM [...] [SEPTEMBRE 1832]"). Then, a man carrying a scythe: this is Saturn, carrying with him in his bag the "BEST // REPUBLIC". This god is retiring to the USA (La Fayette?). And finally, an empty seat in the center: this is that of "Wisdom" (in explanation). Expert: Cabinet De Bayser, 01.47.03.49.87 Legal fees: 14.28% inc.