The inexhaustible Bertall

Albert d'Arnoux alias Bertall (1820-1883) was a caricaturist, an illustrator, a writer, a photographer and a prolific artist. Disciple of the atelier of Drolling, Bertall begins his career illustrating popular novels known as novels « à 4 sous ». In 1843, Bertall, lover of Balzac work from which he picked his pen name, offers his services to Furne who publishes La Comédie Humaine. Balzac, who likes the style and talent of Bertall, asks his editor to give him more work. After that, Bertall cooperates with Gavarni at the illustration of Le Diable à Paris (1844-1845). He also illustrates Les Petites misères de la vie conjugale in 1845-1846 with the advices of Balzac. In the years 1860-1870, Bertall publishes his own texts with the Hachette editor. Interested in photography, he works with Hyppolite Bayard. He becomes a famous portraitist. One if his well known cliché is the portrait of Victor Hugo.

Currently, la librairie Loliée can show you :

• Balzac - Bertall - Petites Misères de la Vie Conjugale. Paris, chez Chendowski, s.d. (1845), in-8, bound by Mercier. Firts illustrated edition with 50 plate engravings and 310 drawings in the text.

Illustrations : a chopped initial composed for the sell flier of Petites Misères de la Vie Conjugale, an engraving selected from this same book.
(Sources : http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bertall - http://www.paris-france.org/MUSEES/balzac/collections/dessins_furne/bertall.htm)