Ah, my dear sir, allow me to tell you that this year you have quite simply exhibited a masterpiece, from 'Sketches from the Salon'
Original title: Ah, my dear sir, allow me to tell you that this year you have quite simply exhibited a masterpiece, from 'Sketches from the Salon,' published in Le Charivari, May 31, 1865
kurzbeschreibung
Two men shake hands while a third looks on, glass in hand — Honoré Daumier captured this Salon scene in a lithograph from 1865. The print belongs to the series 'Croquis pris au Salon' and appeared in Le Charivari.
Description
In the foreground, two gentlemen exchange a handshake; their expressions and attire are pushed into caricature. A third figure stands behind them, holding a glass and watching the greeting. Doors and windows suggest the room, yet the figures remain the focus of the image. The arrangement feels balanced, with the handshake as its pivot. Sharp contrasts of light and dark define the outlines.
Context
On 31 May 1865, Le Charivari published this lithograph. It is part of Daumier's 'Croquis pris au Salon', a series that took aim at the annual Paris Salon, targeting art criticism and the behavior of its audience. Daumier was renowned for his socially critical caricatures, which often mocked the bourgeoisie and its habits.
Impact
The exaggerated figures and balanced layout are immediately memorable. The central handshake creates an ironic tension and exposes the hypocrisy of the art world. The strong contrasts give the print graphic sharpness and reinforce its satirical tone.
Technique
The lithograph was printed on newsprint, a process Daumier often used. The drawing was made on a stone from which the print was taken; the black ink stands out boldly against the light paper. This is the second state of two, as recorded in the Delteil catalogue raisonné.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)