Oh! mame Chaboulard,... qu'est ce qu'y va nous arriver pendant ces douze mois..., from "Actualités"
Original title: Oh! mame Chaboulard,... qu'est ce qu'y va nous arriver pendant ces douze mois..., from "Actualités"
kurzbeschreibung
Honoré Daumier made this lithograph in 1858. It belongs to the 'Actualités' series and shows two older women in conversation. The print was pulled on newsprint; this is the second state of two (Delteil).
Description
Two elderly women stand talking. The one on the left holds a paper and seems to be explaining something. Both wear plain, traditional clothes with long coats and head coverings; their expressions are serious and thoughtful. A wall with vertical stripes, suggesting a curtain or wallpaper, forms the backdrop. French dialogue lines are printed beneath the figures.
Context
Daumier created this lithograph for the satirical journal 'Le Charivari', where the 'Actualités' series ran. It is dated January 11, 1858, a time of political and social upheaval in France. The caricature pokes fun at the population's fears and hopes at the start of the year. Daumier was known for his socially critical portrayals of everyday life.
Impact
The women's serious faces and the bare setting create a pensive, detached mood. Uncertainty and resignation hang in the air. The ironic undertone typical of Daumier's satirical work is reinforced by the caption.
Technique
Lithography on newsprint was a common process for Daumier's series. Delicate lines and hatching model the women's faces and clothing. The print is in black and white and represents the second state of two, indicating later reworking of the plate.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)