The New Paris, How fortunate for those in a hurry that the avenues have been widened!!!
Original title: The New Paris, How fortunate for those in a hurry that the avenues have been widened!!!, published in Souvenirs d'Artistes
kurzbeschreibung
Honoré Daumier made this lithograph on April 6, 1862, as part of his series 'Souvenirs d'Artistes'. It presents a busy Paris street with pedestrians and a horse-drawn carriage passing in front of multi-story buildings.
Description
People of various ages and genders fill the street: some linger at the edge, others have taken seats in a horse-drawn carriage. Behind them rise facades with windows and balconies. Rendered in black and white, the figures wear clothing of their time. The juxtaposition of those resting and those passing by creates a lively composition.
Context
The print appeared in 1862, in the midst of Georges-Eugène Haussmann's transformation of Paris. Wider boulevards were central to this plan, which cut through old neighborhoods and created new traffic routes. In the series 'Souvenirs d'Artistes', Daumier collected his satirical contributions on the city's changes. The title ironically alludes to the faster pace of metropolitan life.
Impact
Clear lines and the lively arrangement of figures make the image immediately legible. The hustle of modern city life is palpable without the scene turning into caricature. Evenly distributed light and the realistic style give the subject the feel of a documentary snapshot.
Technique
The work was printed as a black-and-white lithograph, in the second of two states (Delteil). This process allowed for fine lines and precise details. The image measures 26.6 × 22.4 cm, the sheet 31.6 × 44.4 cm.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)