How foolish of us to be so frightened, look, it is only a horrid scare crow. - Oh, I thought it was my husband!

Skip to main content
Collections Menu
Image Not Available for How foolish of us to be so frightened, look, it is only a horrid scare crow. - Oh, I thought it was my husband!
How foolish of us to be so frightened, look, it is only a horrid scare crow. - Oh, I thought it was my husband!
Image Not Available for How foolish of us to be so frightened, look, it is only a horrid scare crow. - Oh, I thought it was my husband!

How foolish of us to be so frightened, look, it is only a horrid scare crow. - Oh, I thought it was my husband!

PortfolioPlate 19 from the series "Pastorales"
Date1845
MediumCrayon lithograph
DimensionsSheet: 264 x 222 mm. (10 3/8 x 8 3/4 in.)
Credit LinePurchase Fund
Object number1960.142
NOT ON VIEW
Last Updated1/11/24
Image Not Available for Exploiting friendship. My dear Alphonse, I've invited these gentlemen, my friends, to dine at your home. I would like them to taste our champagne, we'll laugh... wait a minute! I've an idea. What if we went to the wood? We could take your barouche and you could lend us some clothes as we only came to pay a simple visite... In the meantime, why don't you give us some cards and some Napoleons to pass the time. Eh? My good Alphonse, dear chap. How about it?
Exploiting friendship. My dear Alphonse, I've invited these gentlemen, my friends, to dine at your home. I would like them to taste our champagne, we'll laugh... wait a minute! I've an idea. What if we went to the wood? We could take your barouche and you could lend us some clothes as we only came to pay a simple visite... In the meantime, why don't you give us some cards and some Napoleons to pass the time. Eh? My good Alphonse, dear chap. How about it?
1837
Image Not Available for The Chevalier des Adrets is the lover of a woman of the world. He is amiable and fervent, he pretends to be passionate and devoted... one day, an alleged bailiff and an alleged bill of exchange fall like a clap of thunder into the midst of the most tender effusion of feeling... "Oh! My God!! The Baron de Wormspire, a so-called friend, has had the impudence to have me thrown into prison... He's ruined my good fortune, separated me from what I love! Oh! Friends!! What are friends?... There's no such thing as a friend!!!..." The poor woman, poor dupe, casts off her jewels, gives him everything she can, borrows, ruins herself, only to discover too late that her knight is only a knight of industry, a right Robert Macaire.
The Chevalier des Adrets is the lover of a woman of the world. He is amiable and fervent, he pretends to be passionate and devoted... one day, an alleged bailiff and an alleged bill of exchange fall like a clap of thunder into the midst of the most tender effusion of feeling... "Oh! My God!! The Baron de Wormspire, a so-called friend, has had the impudence to have me thrown into prison... He's ruined my good fortune, separated me from what I love! Oh! Friends!! What are friends?... There's no such thing as a friend!!!..." The poor woman, poor dupe, casts off her jewels, gives him everything she can, borrows, ruins herself, only to discover too late that her knight is only a knight of industry, a right Robert Macaire.
1838
Image Not Available for Yes my uncle, my virtuous uncle, I was a spendthrift, gambler, seducer, I had many faults, in a word I was frivolous... but you're ill, very ill, the doctors have abandoned you... I've come to aid you, to fall at your feet, I'll swear... anything you like... I'll only leave you at death, my kind uncle, my so excellent uncle! Let's embrace and put an end to it. (Macaire, sole inheritor, has his dear uncle thrown into a common pit).
Yes my uncle, my virtuous uncle, I was a spendthrift, gambler, seducer, I had many faults, in a word I was frivolous... but you're ill, very ill, the doctors have abandoned you... I've come to aid you, to fall at your feet, I'll swear... anything you like... I'll only leave you at death, my kind uncle, my so excellent uncle! Let's embrace and put an end to it. (Macaire, sole inheritor, has his dear uncle thrown into a common pit).
1837
Image Not Available for The Ladies' Bath. Yes, my dear, it is just the way I have the honour of telling you. I was pregnant with him for eleven months and people thought I was dropsical. Would you believe that this is already six years ago? He takes after his father, drum-major of the 6th legion. Sings the Marseillaise (national anthem) by heart and has a drink in the morning like a real fire-fighter. Oh, my little darling, come here and give your mother a kiss!
The Ladies' Bath. Yes, my dear, it is just the way I have the honour of telling you. I was pregnant with him for eleven months and people thought I was dropsical. Would you believe that this is already six years ago? He takes after his father, drum-major of the 6th legion. Sings the Marseillaise (national anthem) by heart and has a drink in the morning like a real fire-fighter. Oh, my little darling, come here and give your mother a kiss!
1841
Image Not Available for Madame Greluche: Oh, Gustave, how good! A real soothing warmth! Look at our son Loulou; the cute face he makes! - Mr. Greluche: And Pyramus, he is afraid, afraid like a dog. If you only knew what he is doing right now, the little rascal.
Madame Greluche: Oh, Gustave, how good! A real soothing warmth! Look at our son Loulou; the cute face he makes! - Mr. Greluche: And Pyramus, he is afraid, afraid like a dog. If you only knew what he is doing right now, the little rascal.
1839
Image Not Available for The Old Method. - Ah, how very funny.... so you are planning to spend the rest of your life tying paper tails to the back of some flies!... Let me see your hands... and you'll only pull them back, when I tell you so!
The Old Method. - Ah, how very funny.... so you are planning to spend the rest of your life tying paper tails to the back of some flies!... Let me see your hands... and you'll only pull them back, when I tell you so!
1845
Image Not Available for Your suit fits.... I'll borrow it from you... only, please close the door, I can feel a draft on my back. - Oh blast, the door is shut,..... but you just opened the only suit I have.
Your suit fits.... I'll borrow it from you... only, please close the door, I can feel a draft on my back. - Oh blast, the door is shut,..... but you just opened the only suit I have.
1845
Image Not Available for Exploitation of love. Oh! My darling. I cannot say how much I admire, how much I caress the charming portrait which you sent me! You even had it embellished with precious stones. What folly!! You mustn't do things like that. It grieves me... And this watch chain. How beautiful it is! How richly decorated!!... I'd like to offer you a nice present in return, something to remind you of our love and happiness... I'd like to give you a lock of my hair...
Exploitation of love. Oh! My darling. I cannot say how much I admire, how much I caress the charming portrait which you sent me! You even had it embellished with precious stones. What folly!! You mustn't do things like that. It grieves me... And this watch chain. How beautiful it is! How richly decorated!!... I'd like to offer you a nice present in return, something to remind you of our love and happiness... I'd like to give you a lock of my hair...
1837
Image Not Available for Robert Macaire's boarding school. - Professor, here's my system of education. Have an undemanding curriculum so that study lasts as long as possible, give holidays, receive presents at every possible anniversary, and as for the prices, one should be perfectly impartial... - Quite right! They should only be given to the best pupils. - What! Upset the parents! Oh no! Not at all! Prizes shall be given to everybody. To every man his due!
Robert Macaire's boarding school. - Professor, here's my system of education. Have an undemanding curriculum so that study lasts as long as possible, give holidays, receive presents at every possible anniversary, and as for the prices, one should be perfectly impartial... - Quite right! They should only be given to the best pupils. - What! Upset the parents! Oh no! Not at all! Prizes shall be given to everybody. To every man his due!
1837
Image Not Available for The inconvenience of having his hair curled. Oh blast.... look here, watch out... you are burning me.... I am meeting someone, and I want you to make me look good... but in order to declare my burning passion, I don't need to smell scorched!
The inconvenience of having his hair curled. Oh blast.... look here, watch out... you are burning me.... I am meeting someone, and I want you to make me look good... but in order to declare my burning passion, I don't need to smell scorched!
1844
Image Not Available for No, Madame, I will not give you up... I will follow you to the end of the world. - I'll only go to the house of my husband... - Oh, damn... that's different. That might lead me too far...
No, Madame, I will not give you up... I will follow you to the end of the world. - I'll only go to the house of my husband... - Oh, damn... that's different. That might lead me too far...
1848
Image Not Available for When one's portrait is exhibited at the Salon. - It's flattering, isn't it Eudoxie, to be shown like this in public, and I don't regret the 200 francs it has cost us... there is a man looking at us... he seems to think highly of us! - (The art student): How can anybody have the nerve to sit for a portrait with a face like that!
When one's portrait is exhibited at the Salon. - It's flattering, isn't it Eudoxie, to be shown like this in public, and I don't regret the 200 francs it has cost us... there is a man looking at us... he seems to think highly of us! - (The art student): How can anybody have the nerve to sit for a portrait with a face like that!
1845