Le mauvais côté des nouveaux omnibus, from Croquis Parisiens, published in Le Charivari, September 4, 1856
Original title: Le mauvais côté des nouveaux omnibus, from Croquis Parisiens, published in Le Charivari, September 4, 1856
kurzbeschreibung
People jostle at the rear of an omnibus, one already hoisting himself inside — Honoré Daumier captured this scene on September 4, 1856, in a lithograph. Titled “Die Kehrseite der neuen Omnibusse” (The Rear of the New Omnibuses), the print belongs to the “Croquis Parisiens” series and appeared in the journal “Le Charivari.” It offers a slice of Parisian daily life as passengers squeeze into an overcrowded vehicle.
Description
Seen from behind, an omnibus stands open as several people push in at once. Some passengers are already packed tightly inside; others hurry from the sides, still trying to board. The layout feels restless and captures the crush. The rendering remains monochrome; even light and realistic details — shading and lines — make fabric folds and the vehicle’s construction legible.
Context
For the satirical newspaper “Le Charivari,” Daumier drew the “Croquis Parisiens” series regularly, skewering social and political grievances. The sheet of September 4, 1856, targets the newly introduced Paris omnibuses, which were considered overcrowded and uncomfortable. With the series, the artist aimed to spotlight everyday scenes of city life with humor and a critical eye.
Impact
The crowded scene and the visible discomfort of the passengers provoke an almost comic irritation in the viewer. The restless arrangement and detailed execution convey the tightness and haste of the moment. At the same time, the print prompts reflection on the social conditions in 19th-century Paris.
Technique
Executed as a lithograph, the work exists in its second state of two (Delteil). This process allows fine lines and shading, which are used here for a realistic rendering of the scene. The sheet measures 37.2 × 25.6 cm, the image itself 25.7 × 20 cm.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)