The Absent-Minded. This artist, after having been to the Salon, is seized by a sublime inspiration and approaches his canvas. All of a sudden, tones of music, the most piquant effect the most delicate touch promising a masterpiece. 2, 3, 4 hours gone by and something as appealing as a Titian, Michelangelo is left to posterity..... Afterwards, once his excitement has subsided, he realizes..... he had forgotten to use the brush.

Skip to main content
Collections Menu
Image Not Available for The Absent-Minded. This artist, after having been to the Salon, is seized by a sublime inspiration and approaches his canvas. All of a sudden, tones of music, the most piquant effect the most delicate touch promising a masterpiece. 2, 3, 4 hours gone by and something as appealing as a Titian, Michelangelo is left to posterity..... Afterwards, once his excitement has subsided, he realizes..... he had forgotten to use the brush.
The Absent-Minded. This artist, after having been to the Salon, is seized by a sublime inspiration and approaches his canvas. All of a sudden, tones of music, the most piquant effect the most delicate touch promising a masterpiece. 2, 3, 4 hours gone by and something as appealing as a Titian, Michelangelo is left to posterity..... Afterwards, once his excitement has subsided, he realizes..... he had forgotten to use the brush.
Image Not Available for The Absent-Minded. This artist, after having been to the Salon, is seized by a sublime inspiration and approaches his canvas. All of a sudden, tones of music, the most piquant effect the most delicate touch promising a masterpiece. 2, 3, 4 hours gone by and something as appealing as a Titian, Michelangelo is left to posterity..... Afterwards, once his excitement has subsided, he realizes..... he had forgotten to use the brush.

The Absent-Minded. This artist, after having been to the Salon, is seized by a sublime inspiration and approaches his canvas. All of a sudden, tones of music, the most piquant effect the most delicate touch promising a masterpiece. 2, 3, 4 hours gone by and something as appealing as a Titian, Michelangelo is left to posterity..... Afterwards, once his excitement has subsided, he realizes..... he had forgotten to use the brush.

PortfolioPlate 8 from the series "Silhouettes"
Date1841
MediumCrayon lithograph
DimensionsSheet: 302 x 233 mm. (11 7/8 x 9 3/16 in.)
Credit LineThe Cone Collection, formed by Dr. Claribel Cone and Miss Etta Cone of Baltimore, Maryland
Object number1950.12.615
NOT ON VIEW
Last Updated1/11/24
Image Not Available for The twist of the umbrella. The robber makes the most of the storm, and he moves, as you can see.... he pushes his umbrella against the face of a passer-by and seizes the watch, the pocket book or the purse of his victim.
The twist of the umbrella. The robber makes the most of the storm, and he moves, as you can see.... he pushes his umbrella against the face of a passer-by and seizes the watch, the pocket book or the purse of his victim.
1835
Image Not Available for A young man and his first approaches to the beauty of what is called the Arts.
A young man and his first approaches to the beauty of what is called the Arts.
1846
Image Not Available for This is a so called merchant, victim of his victims, crazy, squanderer and intriguing. He pays 1% to his creditors for 10 years, forgets about the past, does not care about the future, struts about the Bois de Boulogne with his yellow gloves, strolls along the boulevard des Italiens and theatre lobbies. He talks of honour and decency and calls his creditors thieves. He loves the pose of the political, industrial and moral victim and splashes the whole world.
This is a so called merchant, victim of his victims, crazy, squanderer and intriguing. He pays 1% to his creditors for 10 years, forgets about the past, does not care about the future, struts about the Bois de Boulogne with his yellow gloves, strolls along the boulevard des Italiens and theatre lobbies. He talks of honour and decency and calls his creditors thieves. He loves the pose of the political, industrial and moral victim and splashes the whole world.
1840
Image Not Available for The ant. The two-legged ant, just like the multi-legged one is not generous, but that is the least one can reproach him. There is one difference though: the former is saving in every season and never consumes, even at the age of 90 he still economises for his old days. This type of ant leads always a miserable life. When he dies, he is deprived of everything despite of the provisions, because his last savings are spent for his funeral.
The ant. The two-legged ant, just like the multi-legged one is not generous, but that is the least one can reproach him. There is one difference though: the former is saving in every season and never consumes, even at the age of 90 he still economises for his old days. This type of ant leads always a miserable life. When he dies, he is deprived of everything despite of the provisions, because his last savings are spent for his funeral.
1838
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 dear... just imagine... this morning he forced me to sew on one of his buttons! How dare he reduce my female dignity in such a way! - That'd be the day, if a man forced me to work on his knickers!
Yes, my dear... just imagine... this morning he forced me to sew on one of his buttons! How dare he reduce my female dignity in such a way! - That'd be the day, if a man forced me to work on his knickers!
1849
Image Not Available for Lherbette. Deputy since ages and one of the few lucky ones who can rely on being reelected on the 13th of May. He just succeeds with everything. Only his name is not to his taste. He is also trying to give himself a distinct air.
Lherbette. Deputy since ages and one of the few lucky ones who can rely on being reelected on the 13th of May. He just succeeds with everything. Only his name is not to his taste. He is also trying to give himself a distinct air.
1849
Image Not Available for Lagrange. Republican of yesteryear. - Not even the most unrestrained defamation would dare accusing him of taking advantage of the hard work of the people. His somewhat untidy hairdo is caused by the mountain winds.
Lagrange. Republican of yesteryear. - Not even the most unrestrained defamation would dare accusing him of taking advantage of the hard work of the people. His somewhat untidy hairdo is caused by the mountain winds.
1849
Image Not Available for His Most Serene Highness Charles, Hereditary Prince of Brunswick and Lunenburg
His Most Serene Highness Charles, Hereditary Prince of Brunswick and Lunenburg
n.d.
Image Not Available for His Most Serene Highness Charles, Hereditary Prince of Brunswick and Lunenburgh
His Most Serene Highness Charles, Hereditary Prince of Brunswick and Lunenburgh
n.d.
Image Not Available for The Passport. The foreigner who visits China is subject to an indispensable formality. He receives a scrap of paper on which he writes the age he wishes to reveal, the profession that he is said to perform and the place that he wishes to give as his birthplace. All this is followed by a description which is so indistinct that it applies to everybody. After which, by means of two Francs, the Chinese Government is deemed to guarantee him aid and assistance for one year
The Passport. The foreigner who visits China is subject to an indispensable formality. He receives a scrap of paper on which he writes the age he wishes to reveal, the profession that he is said to perform and the place that he wishes to give as his birthplace. All this is followed by a description which is so indistinct that it applies to everybody. After which, by means of two Francs, the Chinese Government is deemed to guarantee him aid and assistance for one year
1844
Image Not Available for Trouvé-Chauvel. Strict guardian of the Republic's finances, citizen Trouvé-Chauvel never separates himself from the treasure, even when he goes to the National Assembly. It is true that it is very easy for him to carry it over his shoulder. This minister has an obsession, which is making him quite unhappy; he wants to balance revenue with expenditure, but he cannot find the means to this end.... also, he doesn't like people saying to him: - have you found it, Chauvel?....
Trouvé-Chauvel. Strict guardian of the Republic's finances, citizen Trouvé-Chauvel never separates himself from the treasure, even when he goes to the National Assembly. It is true that it is very easy for him to carry it over his shoulder. This minister has an obsession, which is making him quite unhappy; he wants to balance revenue with expenditure, but he cannot find the means to this end.... also, he doesn't like people saying to him: - have you found it, Chauvel?....
1848