Aux Champs-Élysées, from Actualités
Original title: Aux Champs-Élysées, from Actualités, published in "Le Charivari"
kurzbeschreibung
Honoré Daumier's 1851 lithograph presents a uniformed figure with a rifle and batons holding his ground on the Champs-Élysées amid a crowd. This satirical print belongs to the 'Actualités' series and was published in 'Le Charivari'.
Description
A top hat, a rifle slung over the shoulder, two long batons in the right hand — thus stands the figure at the front, serious and almost threatening. Opposite him, passersby are scattered across the street, some glancing at him, others turning away. The street space is lined by the crowd. In black and white, the print employs bold contours and graduated shading.
Context
On June 19, 1851, the sheet appeared in the satirical journal 'Le Charivari', placed within the 'Actualités' series. The occasion was an event by the Comité du dix Décembre, a group supporting Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte. Daumier directed his caricature against the political machinations of those days, against the staging of power and public order.
Impact
The serious posture of the main figure and the divided reactions of the bystanders create a palpable tension. The satirical sharpening prompts a critical examination of political symbolism.
Technique
Lithography: in this printing process, greasy and watery areas interact on a limestone block. Daumier used bold contours and nuanced shading to capture details and facial expressions precisely.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)