Grandville et Balzac

Famous for his animal caricatures and his critical observation of social life, J. J. Grandville drew for the newspapers that flourished at the end of the reign of Charles X. This is where he met Balzac, who was working as a journalist at the time. Later, the two evolved along different political lines and their professional relationship temporarily ceased, although they continued to be friends.

The Maison de Balzac will present an original corpus of some fifty drawings, including many that have never been shown, as well as little-known satirical, poetic and fantastic engravings by Grandville.

This exhibition highlights the complicity that existed between Balzac and Grandville, while underlining the theme of freedom of the satirical press. After enforcement of the anti-press laws dated September 9, 1835, Grandville gave up the political combat and turned to illustration.

This is when he began to work with Balzac. His talent for animal representations, his poetic sensitivity and his fantasy were fully expressed in the Scenes from the Private and Public Life of Animals, while his caricatures of annuitants and shopkeepers confirmed that the vitriol of his pen had not been diluted by being banned from political caricature.