It presents the frontispiece used for Monselet's Tréteaux.
This celebrated collection, in which Sainte-Beuve found “happy gifts, imagination, fantasy, wit without jargon, mischief often very nimble, but without malice” (in Nouveaux lundis), marks the first collaboration between Poulet-Malassis and Bracquemond. The connection was made through Monselet, who gave Poulet-Malassis the following instructions: “I am quite willing to be director of the Tréteaux, but on condition that I never step onto them myself. Let us wait for my death before attempting any amusing portraits, and let us wait a long time. The rest goes without saying: an audience, mountebanks, male and female, sea serpents, strongmen, etc. It will be fine. Let Bracquemond do as he pleases, give him carte blanche, believe me…” (letter to Malassis, August 12, 1859).
Everyone was satisfied, including the publisher, who thanked the engraver for this etching, which Malassis judged “very witty. There is but one voice on the matter. Do add one more laurel leaf to one of your ragouts.”
Oberlé 699; Clouzot, 211 (for the text).