Comments on: J.J. Grandville (Jean Ignace Isidore Gèrard)

By: Charley Parker

Charley Parker — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 05:08:41 +0000

Thanks, andrew.

Other readers may want to take a look at the interesting pieces for sale on Sim Fine Art.

By: andrew sim

andrew sim — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:58:44 +0000

Excellent article on Grandville. I discovered a little pen and ink drawing by him in a country auction, was intrigued by it and have subsequently discovered what you so lucidly and succinctly express above: namely that he was a seminal artist and an extraordinary talent that deserves to be better known.

By: Charley Parker

Charley Parker — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 13:54:36 +0000

I don’t have scholarly or historical reference to back this up (though there may be some), I’m making my own judgements here.

Unfortunately, I don’t have time to track down the instances, but if you look through Grandville’s drawings, you’ll find images that I think Tenniel has essentially, um.. borrowed (pretty overtly); and I say that as a fervent admirer of Tenniel.

Look for the image of a cow carried on a moneybox by bankers in Un Autre Monde and compare to Tenniel’s Mock Turtle speaking to the Gryphon (tear and all), and see Grandville’s image of the battle of playing cards.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 08:29:20 +0000

I can see why you think he influenced Tenniel and Carroll but is there any proof of this? There is a heated discussion going on about it in the Lewis Carroll group. anyway he is fantastic. Wasn’t there an exhibition on about him in paris a couple of years ago? I am sure we happened to be passing and went in and were blown away but could not remember the name of the artist. Anyway lets hear it about Carroll because if a link could be found (apart from the fact that it seems so similar) then it would clear up a lot of arguments.

By: Arabella

Arabella — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 15:44:46 +0000

My mom introduced me to his work with “The Animals” as a child, I’ve always loved his stuff.

By: peacay

peacay — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 17:34:58 +0000

Excellent exegesis Charley and thanks for the Visipix tip - they must be brand or fairly new. I have a great love and respect for the breadth of JJG’s work.

By: leonard

leonard — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 16:48:13 +0000

One well informed, nice to read, funny, intelligent 2- to 3k words article each and every day, plus teaching, plus visiting life drawing classes, plus hosting 5 other sites, plus doing your artwork, plus drawing your girlfriend once in a while (though some of these drawings sometimes go unfinished); Come on, Charley, high time to tell everybody what you eat and drink and take!
It’s amazing…

By: jelter

jelter — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 16:19:07 +0000

i can’t believe ive never heard of this guy! its weird that someone so influential can be so easily forgotten.