Cristi,... v'là-t-y un boeuf qui est bien fait!..., from Exposition de 1859, published in Le Charivari, May 4, 1859
Original title: Cristi,... v'là-t-y un boeuf qui est bien fait!..., from Exposition de 1859, published in Le Charivari, May 4, 1859
kurzbeschreibung
Honoré Daumier's 1859 lithograph gathers a group of visitors in an exhibition hall, all looking toward an object outside the frame. The print belongs to the series 'Exposition de 1859' and was published in the satirical journal Le Charivari. This is an impression in the second state on newsprint.
Description
A row of figures in late-1850s dress—men in hats and caps, a woman in a bonnet—staggered across the foreground, all facing right. Their expressions shift between curiosity and unease. Behind them, a wall and a window suggest the gallery space. The rendering stays monochrome, with firm contours that point to a carefully considered arrangement.
Context
Daumier made this lithograph for his series 'Exposition de 1859', a satirical companion to that year's Paris Salon. It appeared in Le Charivari on May 4, 1859, a daily known for political and social caricature. The series took aim at art criticism and public behavior at exhibitions. Daumier was a sharp observer of bourgeois life and the art world of his time.
Impact
The clustered gazes and slightly exaggerated faces create a humorous, ironic tone. Viewers are prompted to imagine the unseen object the group is reacting to. The clear layout and varied expressions give the scene a lively, narrative quality.
Technique
Lithography on newsprint was standard for caricatures in satirical papers. The second state indicates the stone was reworked. The medium allowed fine lines and shading, used here to render facial expressions and details of clothing.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)