2-997-034 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

M. Prudhomme - Mon fils, salute ce monument..., 1855. Monsieur Prudhomme: "My son, salute this monument, which is more than a monument, since it is a bazaar, which is even more than a bazaar, since it is the Palace of Industry. oh my son, your father also could have exhibited! I made models of calligraphy, which, I dare say, would excite the admiration of all genuine connoisseurs, no matter what nationality, but my modesty has prevented me from sending anything to this exhibition...but it doesn't matter, always remember, my son, that politeness is the genteel prerogative of well-mannered men". Monsieur Prudhomme was a character invented by Henri Monnier to symbolise bourgeois complacency and self-satisfaction. From L'Exposition Universelle, no. 4.