Who says, Parisians are never satisfied!
Original title: Who says, Parisians are never satisfied!, from 'Theater sketches,' published in Le Charivari, February 13, 1864
kurzbeschreibung
Honoré Daumier's lithograph 'Who Says Parisians Are Never Satisfied!' appeared in the satirical journal Le Charivari on February 13, 1864. It shows applauding theatergoers and belongs to Daumier's series of theater sketches.
Description
A row of theatergoers sits on a bench or in a box, clapping. Their hands are caught mid-beat, and their faces range from broad smiles to expressions of wonder. The caricatured figures, dressed in 19th-century clothing, are packed closely together. The monochrome print relies on grays and even lighting without strong shadows. Expression and gesture dominate the layout, drawing the eye from one animated face to the next.
Context
Daumier made this lithograph for Le Charivari, the satirical newspaper where he regularly published political and social caricatures. His 'Theater sketches' series took aim at Parisian theater audiences and their behavior. The print came out on February 13, 1864, and exists in the second state of two (Delteil). It shows Daumier's close observation of 19th-century Parisian society.
Impact
The caricature is humorous and ironic because it exaggerates the audience's enthusiasm. The overdone facial expressions make you smile while also poking fun at the superficiality of the theater world. Clean lines and a stripped-down arrangement focus attention on human reactions.
Technique
Lithography on newsprint: in this process, one draws with greasy chalk on a stone and then prints. Daumier valued lithography for its quick reproducibility and its ability to capture fine details and shading. This impression is the second state of two, suggesting later reworking of the stone.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)