Dites-donc Baptiste, qu'est-ce qu'y ont donc monsieur et madame à crier comme ça depuis une heure..., from Les Comédiens de Société
Original title: Dites-donc Baptiste, qu'est-ce qu'y ont donc monsieur et madame à crier comme ça depuis une heure..., from Les Comédiens de Société, published in "Le Charivari"
kurzbeschreibung
A woman seizes a man from behind and pushes him down—that is the central action in Honoré Daumier’s lithograph of 1858, part of the series 'Les Comédiens de Société'. While two figures appear to dance in the background, the print was published in 'Le Charivari'. This is the second state of two (Delteil).
Description
In a doorway, a woman in a long dark dress has grabbed a man by the hem of his coat and is pressing him downward. The man wears a checkered shirt and trousers; his face registers surprise and fear. Behind them, a woman in a flowing gown and a man in a dark suit move as if dancing. Curtains and the door frame the scene, and light falling from the front picks out the figures. The arrangement is lively, clearly separating foreground from background.
Context
This lithograph appeared in the satirical journal 'Le Charivari' in April 1858. It belongs to Daumier’s series 'Les Comédiens de Société', in which he lampooned bourgeois manners and social roles. The artist was known for his sharp observation and his critique of nineteenth-century Parisian society. The series often highlighted the absurdities of everyday life and interpersonal relationships.
Impact
The man’s startled reaction and the woman’s energetic gesture create a comic effect. The dynamic layout and high-contrast lighting draw the eye to the action in the foreground. In this monochrome lithograph, the figures’ expressive body language reinforces the satirical tone.
Technique
For this lithograph, Daumier drew with greasy chalk on a stone. Fine lines and hatching serve to work out details and shadows. It was printed in two states; the present impression is the second state, which suggests later reworking of the plate.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)