← Honoré Daumier

No matter what one says, old things are always beautiful. --Yes, my dear, but only in marble., from 'As you like it,' published in Le Charivari, January 21, 1850

Original title: --No matter what one says, old things are always beautiful. --Yes, my dear, but only in marble., from 'As you like it,' published in Le Charivari, January 21, 1850

Artist

Honoré Daumier

Date

January 21, 1850

Medium

Lithograph on newsprint; second state of two (Delteil)

Dimensions

Image: 10 1/16 × 8 3/4 in. (25.5 × 22.2 cm) Sheet: 14 1/4 × 9 5/8 in. (36.2 × 24.4 cm)

Credit line

A. Hyatt Mayor Purchase Fund, Marjorie Phelps Starr Bequest, 1980

kurzbeschreibung

This lithograph by Honoré Daumier, made in 1850, shows a couple on a park bench in front of an antique statue. It belongs to the series 'As You Like It' and appeared in the satirical magazine Le Charivari. The print is the second state of two; it was printed on newsprint.

Description

Two figures sit on a bench, turned to the right toward a female statue in antique dress standing on a pedestal. The person on the left wears a long dress and a head covering; the one on the right, a suit with a tie and top hat. Both hold walking sticks. Trees and part of the statue fill the background. An oval frame encloses the scene, with lines of dialogue beneath. Black-and-white lines and shading dominate the image.

Context

Daumier drew this lithograph for the satirical magazine Le Charivari, where it was published on January 21, 1850. It is part of the series 'As You Like It,' which addresses questions of taste and bourgeois art appreciation of the time. The scene parodies the contemporary public's admiration for classical art. As a caricaturist, Daumier used lithography for social-critical commentary.

Impact

Fine lines and strong shading give the print an elegant yet ironic note. The contrast between the bourgeois couple and the idealized statue creates a humorous distance. The oval frame draws the eye to the figures and emphasizes the intimate, observant situation.

Technique

Daumier worked here in lithography on newsprint, a common process for his satirical prints. This technique allows nuanced lines and shading that bring out faces and garments in detail. The second state of the print may show altered tonal values or corrections compared to the first.

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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)