Commençant à trouver que l'imperiale des omnibus...
Original title: Commençant à trouver que l'imperiale des omnibus..., from Croquis Parisiens, published in "Le Charivari"
kurzbeschreibung
Created on 10 February 1858, this lithograph by Honoré Daumier belongs to the 'Croquis Parisiens' series and appeared in 'Le Charivari'. It captures a rainy scene on an open omnibus, offering a humorous take on everyday Parisian public transport.
Description
Three figures occupy an open omnibus lashed by rain. On the left, someone in a suit and top hat holds an umbrella; in the middle, another person sits upright, also in suit and top hat; on the right, at the controls, stands a figure in a long coat and hat. Vertical strokes suggest the rainy street behind them. The layout is horizontal, with the figures in the foreground and the rain rendered as fine lines. Black-and-white tones dominate the sheet.
Context
Daumier produced this lithograph for the satirical journal 'Le Charivari', where he regularly published scenes critiquing society. The 'Croquis Parisiens' series documented urban life in 19th-century Paris. The omnibus was becoming increasingly important as public transport for the Parisian population. The caricature alludes to the discomforts of public transit.
Impact
The view of Parisian daily life comes across as humorous yet critical. The rain scene feels lively and fosters sympathy for the passengers. The spare visual language directs attention to the figures' gestures and postures.
Technique
A lithograph on newsprint, the print employs a process typical of Daumier's satirical works. This is the second state (Delteil), indicating reworking of the printing plate. Fine lines and hatching in the background demonstrate the characteristic technique of lithography.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)