Vue prise à l'entrée des bains Deligny, from Croquis d'Été
Original title: Vue prise à l'entrée des bains Deligny, from Croquis d'Été, published in Le Charivari, August 10, 1859
kurzbeschreibung
Outside the Bains Deligny in 1859, a crowd presses in: Honoré Daumier drew this gathering for his 'Croquis d'Été' series, which ran in Le Charivari on August 10. The lithograph captures the comings and goings at the Parisian bathing establishment and turns public life into a spectacle.
Description
A gentleman in hat and coat anchors the foreground, with other figures in similar attire nearby; despite the summer, different fashions meet here. Above them, the lettering 'Ecole de Natation' is prominently displayed, and a flag—likely the French tricolor—flutters behind. Bodies are in motion: one person gestures, others converse. The lithograph renders the scene in delicate gray tones and captures the bustle through many small details.
Context
Daumier contributed this sheet to the 'Croquis d'Été', a series that appeared in the satirical journal Le Charivari in August 1859. The Bains Deligny on the Seine were a popular summer gathering spot at the time. In his prints, Daumier observed urban life and its types with a sharp pen. Two states of the lithograph exist; the present example is the second, as recorded by Hazard & Delteil.
Impact
The viewer's gaze is pulled straight into the throng before the baths—almost like a snapshot from the 19th century. The varied poses and dense figures make the ambient noise almost audible. Humor and everyday observation blend without the scene feeling exaggerated.
Technique
For printing, Daumier used lithography: he drew with greasy chalk on a stone, from which the image was then printed onto paper. This method allowed quick and inexpensive editions, ideal for the satirical press. The newsprint used is irregularly trimmed and shows the fibrous texture typical of the print.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)