Observations placeholder
La Chemise Enlevee
Identifier
007547
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
Fragonard – La Chemise enlevee
Jean-Honoré FRAGONARD; Grasse, 1732 - Paris, 1806
The raised shirt - This picture is a companion to Le feu aux poudres, presented to the Louvre as part of the Beistegui collection. Exhibited in Paris in 1860, the work added considerably to the fame of the artist.
I lie here not asking for anything dear
Not a wine, nor a brandy or cold glass of beer
I’m not one of those women who just want things material
[‘Cept maybe a clean sheet from diseases venereal]
I know that you found me at night on the street
With not even a pair of shoes for my poor feet
And ‘twas kind of you to ask me back for a meal
And take off my clothes so at home I would feel
Can I ask, my dear gentleman, how long should I stay?
I am paid by the hour, but come cheap by the day
I am useful at other things besides what you need
I can iron and cook, and I can even read
But of course you are right in what I do the best
For the moment we can forget all of the rest
And I’ll say that I love you as you have your way
Yes I’ll scream and I’ll shout, Sir, whatever you say
You just leave your wallet on that table there
When I have to go home, I’ll ask you for the fare
Put your hand on my breasts, put your hand where it will
Your every wish, Sir, I am sure to fulfill
And so we must leave them the man and his whore
For the story’s so old we’ve no need to know more
For in this life a man puts on clothes to be paid
But a woman takes off hers – or so it is said