Dire que dans mon temps, moi aussi..., from Croquis Dramatiques, published in Le Charivari, January 24, 1857 (January 24, 1857, Met-Objekt 3048)
Original title: Dire que dans mon temps, moi aussi..., from Croquis Dramatiques, published in Le Charivari, January 24, 1857
kurzbeschreibung
In this 1857 lithograph by Honoré Daumier, an older woman in traditional dress takes the hand of a younger one dressed for the dance. The humorous encounter comes from the series Croquis Dramatiques.
Description
Two figures fill an interior: an older woman in traditional clothes turns toward a younger companion and grasps her hand. The younger woman wears a dance dress, suggesting a dramatic or theatrical situation. A shelf holding various figures stands toward the rear, and a window lets in light. The drawing is black and white, with clear lines and a lively arrangement; exaggerated facial features reinforce the caricatural style.
Context
The lithograph was published on January 24, 1857, in the French satirical magazine Le Charivari. It belongs to Daumier's Croquis Dramatiques, a series devoted to the theater and acting. The artist was known for socially critical caricatures that caught the Parisian bourgeoisie and the stage world with humor.
Impact
The two women's meeting feels funny and faintly ironic, since their exchange carries a theatrical gesture. The caricatural exaggerations create an amused distance from what is shown, prompting reflection on roles and stereotypes.
Technique
The lithograph was printed in three states, and this is the third. The printing method allows for fine lines and shading, used here to render the figures and the room in detail.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)