O Lune!... Inspire-moi ce soir quelque petite pensée..., from Les Bas-Bleus, published in "Le Charivari"
Original title: O Lune!... Inspire-moi ce soir quelque petite pensée..., from Les Bas-Bleus, published in "Le Charivari"
kurzbeschreibung
A woman sits in a chair and lifts her gaze to the crescent moon in this 1844 lithograph by Honoré Daumier. The print belongs to the series 'Les Bas-Bleus' and appeared on February 28, 1844, in 'Le Charivari.' This is the third of three states (Delteil).
Description
Seated in a chair, her head turned upward, the woman appears calm and lost in thought. Her dress and a head covering that partly obscures her face are visible. A large, bright, round light source dominates the background, bathing the scene in subdued light. Through windows, buildings of a cityscape can be seen. The layout is clearly focused on the woman and the light source; the lithograph remains in gray tones, with the crescent moon providing a bright contrast.
Context
The lithograph is part of the series 'Les Bas-Bleus,' which satirically engages with intellectual women of the 19th century. Daumier published it in the satirical journal 'Le Charivari,' known for its political and social caricatures. The date of February 28, 1844, is documented by the publication.
Impact
A quiet, contemplative mood arises, reinforced by the subdued lighting and the woman's pensive posture. The contrast between the bright crescent moon and the dark gray tones draws the eye to the light source and underscores the melancholy atmosphere.
Technique
The lithograph was printed in three states; the present sheet is the third state. This technique allows for fine line work and soft tonal gradations, which are used for the detailed rendering of the scene.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)