← Honoré Daumier

Continuation de l'amélioration des chevauz et de la détérioration des jockeys., from Aux Courses, published in Le Charivari, April 13, 1859

Original title: Continuation de l'amélioration des chevauz et de la détérioration des jockeys., from Aux Courses, published in Le Charivari, April 13, 1859

Artist

Honoré Daumier

Date

April 13, 1859

Medium

Lithograph on newsprint; second state of two (Delteil)

Dimensions

Image: 8 3/4 × 11 3/16 in. (22.2 × 28.4 cm) Sheet: 10 7/8 × 11 3/8 in. (27.6 × 28.9 cm)

Credit line

Gift of Harry G. Friedman, 1960

kurzbeschreibung

Honoré Daumier's 1859 lithograph presents a satirical scene from horse racing: two jockeys carry a third who lies on the ground, while spectators and another fallen horse appear in the background. The print belongs to the series 'Aux Courses' and was published on 13 April 1859 in 'Le Charivari'.

Description

Two jockeys have taken a third, clearly injured or exhausted colleague between them and are carrying him. The expressions of the two bearers look worried and pained. In the background, spectators watch the event, while another horse lies on the ground, also appearing injured or exhausted. The layout is dynamic and emphasizes the intensity of the moment. The lithograph remains in black and white, with clear lines and strong contrast between light and dark areas.

Context

As horse racing grew in popularity in France in 1859 and the figure of the jockey increasingly appeared in caricature, this lithograph was created. Daumier published the series 'Aux Courses' in the satirical magazine 'Le Charivari', known for its social criticism. The title ironizes the supposed 'improvement' of horses while the jockeys appear to suffer. The print reflects Daumier's interest in social ills and his critique of contemporary enthusiasm for sport.

Impact

Comedy and pity enter an ambivalent union: the exaggerated facial expressions and the absurd situation of the carried jockeys seem humorous, while the depiction of injury and exhaustion brings a serious note. The dynamic arrangement heightens the emotional tension of the scene. Overall, the image prompts reflection on the reality behind glamorous racing.

Technique

Daumier turned to lithography on newsprint, as was customary in the 19th century for the quick and inexpensive production of caricatures. Clear lines and strong light-dark contrast characterize his lithographic working method. Two states of the work exist; the present one is the second (Delteil).

AI-generated description text

Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)