In front of Mr. Gustave Moreau's paintings, from 'Exhibition sketches,' published in Le Charivari, June 3, 1864
Original title: In front of Mr. Gustave Moreau's paintings, from 'Exhibition sketches,' published in Le Charivari, June 3, 1864
kurzbeschreibung
Honoré Daumier's 1864 lithograph brings a group of viewers before a painting in an exhibition. The print belongs to the series 'Exhibition sketches' and appeared in the satirical magazine Le Charivari. It was printed as a lithograph on newsprint in the second state.
Description
A man with an open book stands at the center, evidently explaining its contents. A woman with a headscarf to his left points at the book, while another man on the right also points to it. Around this main group are other figures observing the scene; paintings hang on the wall, establishing the exhibition setting. The clothing of the figures points to the 19th century. The reproduction remains black and white, with the structures characteristic of lithography.
Context
Daumier drew this lithograph for the series 'Exhibition sketches', published in the satirical newspaper Le Charivari. The series took the Paris art exhibitions of the 1860s as its subject, especially the Salon. Gustave Moreau, alluded to in the title, was a painter of the time whose works were controversially discussed. The print thus relates to public debates about modern art in those years.
Impact
Concentrated gazes and gestures of the figures give the scene an immediate liveliness. Daumier captures the atmosphere of an exhibition with curious viewers without slipping into caricature. A calm, observant mood emanates from the print, characteristic of his satirical works.
Technique
Lithography on newsprint – a process Daumier often used for his satirical prints. Fine hatching and clear contours capture figures and space precisely. The second state of the print indicates a reworking of the plate.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)