Hunters' tales, from 'Hunting sketches,' published in Le Charivari, October 29, 1864
Original title: Hunters' tales, from 'Hunting sketches,' published in Le Charivari, October 29, 1864
kurzbeschreibung
Three men sit around a table in an inn. One of them is vividly telling a hunting story while the other two listen. Honoré Daumier published this scene as a lithograph on October 29, 1864; it belongs to his series 'Hunting Sketches,' which appeared in the satirical magazine Le Charivari.
Description
On the left, a man at the table emphasizes his tale with a sweeping gesture. The other two are all ears, their eyes fixed on the speaker. Plates and glasses rest on the table, and two hats lie on a second table behind. Faces and movements are exaggerated in caricature, and the layout draws the eye toward the storyteller. Black on white, as is usual for lithographs on newsprint.
Context
The print appeared in Le Charivari on October 29, 1864, a French satirical magazine known for political and social caricatures. The series 'Hunting Sketches' pokes fun at the bourgeois passion for hunting in the 19th century. Daumier was an experienced caricaturist at the time and worked regularly for Le Charivari. According to Delteil, this is the third state of three.
Impact
The exaggerated expressions and gestures immediately provoke amusement and invite a closer look. The arrangement puts the storyteller in focus and makes the liveliness of the described hunt palpable. The monochrome print on newsprint supports the reportorial, satirical tone of the sheet.
Technique
The sheet was printed as a lithograph on newsprint—a process Daumier often used for his satirical series. Fine lines and hatching bring out faces and gestures precisely. The impression in the third of three states points to a reworked plate.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)