That's what I like about the sculpture room...., from 'Exhibition sketches,' published in Le Charivari, June 13, 1864
Original title: That's what I like about the sculpture room...., from 'Exhibition sketches,' published in Le Charivari, June 13, 1864
kurzbeschreibung
Honoré Daumier's lithograph from June 13, 1864, part of his 'Exhibition sketches' published in Le Charivari, invites viewers into a sculpture room with a lighthearted vignette. In the foreground, two well-dressed gentlemen sit on a bench, while sculptures and other visitors fill the space behind them.
Description
Two men in suits and hats occupy a bench in the foreground; one holds his hat in his hand. Behind them, various sculptures appear, including a statue being propped up by a person and another figure in a lively pose. Other visitors study the artworks further back. The layout keeps the two main figures in view while the rear area captures the variety of sculptures and the bustle of onlookers. Executed in black and white, the style remains caricatural and cheerful.
Context
This lithograph appeared on June 13, 1864, in the satirical journal Le Charivari. It belongs to Daumier's 'Exhibition sketches,' a series that took aim at the art world of the time. In the 1860s, Paris saw a boom in the art market and public exhibitions, which Daumier followed with satirical commentary.
Impact
The caricatural touch and cheerful figure drawing make the print immediately appealing. A relaxed, everyday mood emanates from the scene, inviting a smile without tipping into irony.
Technique
The work was executed as a lithograph on newsprint, in the second of two states (Delteil). The lithographic process allowed for fine lines and soft tonal gradations suited to reproduction in a journal. The printing plate evidently served for publication in Le Charivari.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)