![](http://www.tumblr.com/share/photo?source=http%3A%2F%2Flibbymurphy.com%2Fhumancomedy%2Fstorage%2Fcache%2Fimages%2F000%2F049%2F19518810%2Clarge.jpg%3F1382211578&caption=%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%3Ca href="http%3A%2F%2Flibbymurphy.com%2Fhumancomedy%2Falbums%2Fkeeping-up-with-the-leisure-class%2Fcontent%2Fles-spectateurs%2F" title="Les Spectateurs"%3ELes Spectateurs%3C/a%3E%3C/strong%3E%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3EClément Pruche
(French, active 1831-70)
Les Spectateurs pendant l'entr'acte (The Audience during Intermission), ca. 1837
Lithograph
Gift of Eugene L. Garbaty, 1951.88.10
Illustrator and caricaturist Clément Pruche, a
colleague of Gavarni and Daumier, provides a humorous twist to the popular theory of physiolo-gy, or the study of corresponding facial features and character types, analyzing spectators at a theater specializing in melodramas. The Boule-vard du Temple, a theater district known for the exaggerated characters and shocking plots of its plays, was often referred to as the Boulevard of Crime. Melodrama allowed audiences to experi-ence thrilling and intense emotions. These audi-ences were known to be extremely boisterous—screaming, whistling, laughing, or applauding wildly throughout the play. Every social stratum was represented, from workers huddled in the parterre, or pit, to shopkeepers in the balcony seats, to wealthy, fashionable members of high society in their rented boxes. Pruche captures the diverse reactions of audience members to the play and to one another through their facial ex-pressions and their socially marked speech.
On entre, on sort, on vous pousse et on vous crotte ; on entend de tous côtés... « haè, c'monsieur ! dites donc, face au parterre ! — Demandez de l'orgéat, de la li-monade, de la bière ? – Demandez Vert-Vert ! — Demandez l'entr'acte ? le nom des auteurs dans la pièce que l'on va jouer ! — Qu'est-ce qui demande à boire? — Y brûles ! y brûles, tous les gros. Aide-moi Lola, j'vas monter aux premières !— Attends, crapaud v'là l'municip qui va t'faire prendre l'air ! — Gare là des-sous j'lâche !!! » le gamin tombe et le municipal en conduit un autre à la porte.
People come in and out, push you and muddy your clothes; from all directions you hear “Hey, Mister! you there, in front of the pit! —Ask for some barley water, some lemonade, some beer? —Ask for Vert-Vert! Ask for intermission? The name of the authors of the play we’re going to see! —Who wants something to drink? —It’s burning up down here, it’s burning up, all you bigwigs. Help me, Lola, I’m going up to the balcony! —Wait, you little brat, here comes the riot cop—he’s go-ing to kick you out! Watch out below, I’m letting go!!!” The street kid falls and the officer leads another one to the door.
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The Human Comedy: Chronicles of 19th-Century France
Les Spectateurs
Clément Pruche (French, active 1831-70) Les Spectateurs pendant l'entr'acte (The Audience during Intermission), ca. 1837 Lithograph Gift of Eugene L. Garbaty, 1951.88.10
Illustrator and caricaturist Clément Pruche, a colleague of Gavarni and Daumier, provides a humorous twist to the popular theory of physiolo-gy, or the study of corresponding facial features and character types, analyzing spectators at a theater specializing in melodramas. The Boule-vard du Temple, a theater district known for the exaggerated characters and shocking plots of its plays, was often referred to as the Boulevard of Crime. Melodrama allowed audiences to experi-ence thrilling and intense emotions. These audi-ences were known to be extremely boisterous—screaming, whistling, laughing, or applauding wildly throughout the play. Every social stratum was represented, from workers huddled in the parterre, or pit, to shopkeepers in the balcony seats, to wealthy, fashionable members of high society in their rented boxes. Pruche captures the diverse reactions of audience members to the play and to one another through their facial ex-pressions and their socially marked speech.
On entre, on sort, on vous pousse et on vous crotte ; on entend de tous côtés... « haè, c'monsieur ! dites donc, face au parterre ! — Demandez de l'orgéat, de la li-monade, de la bière ? – Demandez Vert-Vert ! — Demandez l'entr'acte ? le nom des auteurs dans la pièce que l'on va jouer ! — Qu'est-ce qui demande à boire? — Y brûles ! y brûles, tous les gros. Aide-moi Lola, j'vas monter aux premières !— Attends, crapaud v'là l'municip qui va t'faire prendre l'air ! — Gare là des-sous j'lâche !!! » le gamin tombe et le municipal en conduit un autre à la porte.
People come in and out, push you and muddy your clothes; from all directions you hear “Hey, Mister! you there, in front of the pit! —Ask for some barley water, some lemonade, some beer? —Ask for Vert-Vert! Ask for intermission? The name of the authors of the play we’re going to see! —Who wants something to drink? —It’s burning up down here, it’s burning up, all you bigwigs. Help me, Lola, I’m going up to the balcony! —Wait, you little brat, here comes the riot cop—he’s go-ing to kick you out! Watch out below, I’m letting go!!!” The street kid falls and the officer leads another one to the door.