La Muse de la Brasserie, from "A la Brasserie"
Original title: La Muse de la Brasserie, from "A la Brasserie"
kurzbeschreibung
Honoré Daumier's lithograph 'The Muse of the Brasserie' from 1864 belongs to his series 'A la Brasserie.' A woman in the foreground of a tavern dries herself with a cloth; behind her, several men read and chat. The print is the second of two states (Delteil).
Description
A woman in a dress stands at the front, drying herself with a cloth; her face looks cheerful, almost smiling, and her curly hair is tied in a knot. Behind her, several men are scattered about, reading newspapers or talking. Chairs and tables suggest a café or brasserie. The layout is lively and draws the eye to the female figure. The lithograph is monochrome; lines and tonal values create light and shadow.
Context
Daumier published the lithograph on January 21, 1864, as part of the series 'A la Brasserie.' That series is devoted to social life in Parisian beer halls, which became popular meeting places in the nineteenth century. The artist was known for his socially critical and satirical portrayals of everyday life, often with caricatural touches.
Impact
The scene feels lively and humorous, with the woman as a cheerful main figure who commands attention. The blend of realism and caricature gives it an ironic note typical of Daumier's style.
Technique
Drawn with greasy chalk on stone, a process known as lithography. The second state of the print reveals reworkings or corrections that Daumier made. The monochrome execution and fine shading are characteristic of this technique.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)