Ah! monsieur Gobinet, dans quel temps vivons-nous!..., from Ces Bons Parisiens
Original title: Ah! monsieur Gobinet, dans quel temps vivons-nous!..., from Ces Bons Parisiens, published in Le Charivari, Sepetember 23, 1857
kurzbeschreibung
Dating from 1857, this lithograph by Honoré Daumier places two men deep in conversation on a street. It belongs to the series 'Ces Bons Parisiens' and appeared in the journal 'Le Charivari' on September 23, 1857. The print mocks the excitement of the day over supposedly religious unrest.
Description
On a tree-lined street, two figures in long coats and tall hats face one another. The figure on the left holds a cane and drives home his words with a gesture of the hand. The layout is plain and built entirely around the exchange between the two men. The lithograph stays monochrome, the light falls evenly, and strong shadows are absent, as was usual for caricature in those years.
Context
Daumier made this sheet at a time of political and religious tension in Europe that drew attention in France as well. The series 'Ces Bons Parisiens' ran in 'Le Charivari', a satirical journal with an urban readership. The subject targets the exaggerated fear of religious conflict, fed by rumours of clashes between Protestants and Catholics in England and Paris.
Impact
The scene reads as humorous and ironic because it exposes the figures' panic in the face of unconfirmed rumours. The clear arrangement and spare detail draw the eye to the two men's expressions and gestures, which only sharpens the absurdity of the situation.
Technique
The lithograph was printed on newsprint, a standard method for caricatures in satirical papers. This impression is the second state of two (Delteil). The technique allowed quick, inexpensive reproduction for a wide audience.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)