But where are you going? The hare is not in that direction!
Original title: But where are you going? The hare is not in that direction!, from 'Hunting sketches,' published in Le Charivari, October 28, 1864
kurzbeschreibung
Honoré Daumier made this lithograph in 1864 for his series 'Hunting Sketches'. It presents a comic misunderstanding between two men: one carries a gun and leads a dog, while the other calls and waves from behind.
Description
On the left, a man strides forward with a rifle over his shoulder and a dog on a leash; his face is tense, his gaze fixed beyond the frame. A little behind him, a second man has planted himself and throws up his arms in excited gestures. Open country surrounds them under a bright sky with a few scattered clouds. The print stays monochrome in shades of grey, with light falling evenly across the surface.
Context
The sheet was published on 28 October 1864 in the satirical Paris journal 'Le Charivari'. It belongs to Daumier's 'Hunting Sketches', in which he poked fun at the leisure pursuits of the bourgeoisie. The artist was known for his humorous, socially critical images of everyday Parisian life in the nineteenth century.
Impact
The exaggerated gestures and expressions of the two figures come across as comic, almost like a slapstick routine. The arrangement draws the eye to the hunters' confusion and makes the absurdity of the situation immediately palpable.
Technique
The lithograph was printed on newsprint in black and white, as the second state of two known impressions (Delteil). The process yields delicate lines and graduated greys, characteristic of Daumier's work in print.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)