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FONTALLARD, Henri-Gerard.
Xavier Leprince.
Metamorphoses d'Arlequin. Parades. Jouees sur le Theatre Francais
These lithographs, from 1826, with satirical and political intentions, represent a Harlequin who, depending on the circumstances, wears a coat or a uniform under which his primitive costume reappears. A fascinating and intriguing album that appears to be a political allegory with the theatre as a backdrop and Harlequin as a character in the political events in France 1791-1826. The fact that the album was published, without publisher or artist attribution, in Belgium rather than France strongly suggests fear of running afoul of French press censorship laws of the era.
- Published
- [Brussels]: [1826].
- References
- Thieme Becker vol. 12, p. 16 6; cf. Grand-Carteret, Les moeurs et la caricature en France, 1886, p. 150 ff
- Plates
- 12
- Binding/Size
- M=4to
- Value
- 0-5000
- Published
- [Brussels]: [1826].
- Ref
- 849
A rare suite of 12 hand-coloured lithographed plates by Langlume after Gerard-Fontallard or Leprince. The lettering on the spine and the style suggest Gerard-Fontallard. Still, there are previous owner's notes on the verso of the end paper suggesting Leprince (and I have seen another copy catalogued as Leprince). Twelve caricatures of Harlequin in French revolutionary themed scenes 1e Parade 1791 to 12e Parade 1826. Mounted on stubs lightly foxed and soiled marginal tear to final plate repaired. Bookplate of Broadway comedy playwright (in the early 1900s) Paul Gavault (later Director of the Paris Odeon). Morocco-backed marbled boards spine gilt a little rubbed. Scarce. No COPAC Coloured plates in order: 1st Parade - 1791. Columbine delaissee ou Fiezvous aux vains discours des hommes. 2nd Parade - 1793. L'Orateur Populaire ou vivre libre ou mourir! 3rd Parade - 1795. Le Directorien ou Veillons au Salut de l'Empire. 4th Parade - 1799. Le 18 Brumaire an VIII ou La raison du plus fort est toujoirs la meilleure. 5th Parade - 1800. Le Grenadier des Consuls ou Je suis Français mon pays avant tout. 6th Parade - 1808. Le Chambellan ou Adieu Marton! Adieu Rosette! 7th Parade - 1814. Le Marquis de Bergame ou Vive le Roi! quand meme ! 8th Parade - 1815. Le Champ de Mai ou L'on revient toujours a ses premiers amours. 9th Parade - 1820. Tartufe, ou L'Habit ne fait pas le Moine. 10th Parade - 1823. Le Diner ou Du Courage, les amis sont toujours la ! 11th Parade - 1825. La Cloture, ou Ventre affame n'a pas d'oreilles. 12th Parade - 1826. Le Congreganiste ou Il est avec le Ciel des accommodements.
