The ass and the two thieves
Original title: The ass and the two thieves, published in Souvenirs d'Artistes
kurzbeschreibung
Honoré Daumier made this lithograph in 1862, showing a donkey standing over a figure who has been brought to the ground while a second donkey appears behind them. The sheet belongs to the series Souvenirs d'Artistes and exists in four states; this impression is the second of them.
Description
At the front, a donkey bends over a man lying flat, apparently forced down by the animal. A second donkey stirs behind them, adding further restlessness to the layout. Rendered in monochrome ink with graded shading, the arrangement feels lively; the drawing's manner is caricatural and committed to the comic register that marks Daumier's satirical prints.
Context
The lithograph forms part of Daumier's Souvenirs d'Artistes, which he produced in 1862 for the journal Le Charivari. The artist was known for his political and social caricatures, in which he took aim at human weaknesses and everyday scenes. With this series he mocked the art of his day and its leading figures, letting the oddities of the art world show through in humorous fashion.
Impact
The exaggerated, caricatural handling makes the sheet comic and pointed at once. The unusual encounter of donkey and thieves creates an absurd situation that invites a smile while also prompting the viewer to think about the figures shown.
Technique
Executed as a lithograph, the print corresponds to the second of four states (Delteil). The process allows fine tonal gradations and precise reproduction of lines, which Daumier used for his expressive caricatures. The sheet measures 31.6 × 44.4 cm, the image area 22.9 × 20.1 cm.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)