Ayant enfin trouvé..., from Actualités, published in Le Charivari, August 14, 1857
Original title: Ayant enfin trouvé..., from Actualités, published in Le Charivari, August 14, 1857
kurzbeschreibung
Honoré Daumier's lithograph 'Ayant enfin trouvé...' appeared on August 14, 1857, in the 'Actualités' series of the magazine Le Charivari. It shows two people sitting in the water, looking surprised. The print measures 24.7 × 36 cm and is the second state (Delteil), printed on newsprint.
Description
Two figures in light summer clothing crouch in the water, their faces expressing shock or astonishment. Trees and a cloudy sky form the backdrop, suggesting a river or lake. Beside one figure on the right, the neck of a bottle pokes out—a hint of a drink. The horizontal layout centers the two characters, and everything is rendered in black and white.
Context
In 1857 Daumier drew this sheet for the satirical magazine Le Charivari, for which he regularly skewered social and political ills. The 'Actualités' series took up current events and everyday scenes, combining them with wit and criticism. The artist was known for his sharp eye and sense of human weakness.
Impact
The exaggeration and the bewildered faces create a comic effect. Because the figures and setting are kept simple, the humor feels immediate and easily accessible.
Technique
Daumier drew with greasy chalk on the stone, using the planographic process of lithography. Printing on newsprint suited publication in a magazine. The second state (Delteil) shows differences from the first impression.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)