The ravaged poets' corner, from 'In the pub,' published in Le Charivari, January 7, 1864
Original title: The ravaged poets' corner, from 'In the pub,' published in Le Charivari, January 7, 1864
kurzbeschreibung
Three men sit at a tavern table and fall into conversation — this motif was captured by Honoré Daumier in a lithograph in 1864. The print belongs to the series 'In the pub' and appeared on January 7, 1864, in the satirical magazine Le Charivari. It is executed in grayscale, and the image area measures 19.5 × 25 cm.
Description
Three older gentlemen with wrinkled faces and graying hair have taken seats at a table; on the plate lie a glass and a loose sheet of paper. One of them has a pipe in his mouth, and all three appear deep in conversation. Curtains frame the space at the back. The rendering remains in grayscale throughout, which gives the print a historical feel.
Context
For the satirical magazine Le Charivari, Daumier drew the series 'In the pub', in which he targeted scenes from everyday Parisian life. With the publication on January 7, 1864, he was in a phase in which he regularly contributed political and social caricatures. Two states of this print exist, and the present copy is the second; it was printed on newsprint, reflecting its use as a mass medium.
Impact
At first, the calm, almost casual gaze falls on the three men turned toward one another across the table. The sober, detailed capture of the figures makes the scene appear immediate and credible. Wrinkles and pipe give the old men something dignified, even though the occasion is entirely ordinary. The grayscale reinforces the documentary impression of the print.
Technique
The motif was printed as a lithograph on newsprint — a process Daumier often used for his caricatures. It allowed fine lines and graduated shading, as seen in the faces and fabrics. The present copy is the second of two print states (Delteil).
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)