At the bar, meeting point for the true lovers of French sculpture and Bavarian beer, from 'Exhibition sketches,' published in Le Charivari, June 3, 1865
Original title: At the bar, meeting point for the true lovers of French sculpture and Bavarian beer, from 'Exhibition sketches,' published in Le Charivari, June 3, 1865
kurzbeschreibung
Two men sit in a bar, drinks at hand, deep in conversation. Honoré Daumier's lithograph from 1865 places this ordinary scene before a backdrop of sculptures, pointing to an art exhibition. The print belongs to the series 'Exhibition sketches' and appeared in the magazine Le Charivari.
Description
In the foreground, two men are seated at a table with drinks in front of them, talking animatedly. Behind them rise several sculptures on pedestals, reminiscent of classical statues. Bold lines and shading shape the figures — typical of Daumier's style. The layout draws the eye to the conversation, while the sculptures serve as an ironic backdrop.
Context
Daumier drew this lithograph for the series 'Exhibition sketches', which takes on the Parisian art world of the 1860s. It was published in the satirical newspaper Le Charivari, for which Daumier worked regularly. The caricature picks up on the contemporary enthusiasm for art exhibitions and the social rituals that came with them.
Impact
Everyday life and art appreciation merge in a humorous way, creating ironic distance from the exhibition world. The clash of profane beer drinking with lofty sculpture is comic and prompts reflection on the role of art in public life.
Technique
Daumier used lithography on newsprint — a standard process for caricatures. The drawing shows a fine gradation of greys, achieved through the shading technique of lithography. This is the second state of two (Delteil).
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)