S'en retournant plus vite qu'il n'était venu, from "Actualités"
Original title: S'en retournant plus vite..., from "Actualités"
kurzbeschreibung
Honoré Daumier made this lithograph in 1859 as part of his 'Actualités' series. It shows a uniformed figure pointing to the right while another person looks out of a window. Printed in black and white, this is the second state of the print.
Description
The layout stretches horizontally. In front, a figure in uniform has an arm extended to the right. Behind him, someone with windblown hair and a cap leans from a window, and further figures in the background also look to the right. The image stays in shades of gray and white; light falls from the front and highlights the figures at the window. The style is caricatural and humorous.
Context
This lithograph was made for the satirical journal 'Le Charivari', where the 'Actualités' series appeared. The date of 12 July 1859 falls in the era of the Second Empire under Napoleon III, when Daumier regularly targeted political and social subjects. The work is documented as the second state of two, printed on newsprint.
Impact
Clear lines and exaggerated gestures give the print immediate energy. The contrast between foreground and background builds narrative tension and supports the series' humorous tone. The monochrome printing draws attention to the figures' expressions and postures.
Technique
Lithography on newsprint—a process typical of Daumier that allowed quick and inexpensive print runs. This is the second state of two, as recorded in the catalogues raisonnés by Delteil and by Hazard and Delteil. The image measures 21.7 × 26.4 cm; the sheet is 29.2 × 29.2 cm.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)