Three marriageable young ladies, from "A celebration in the neighboring village"
Original title: Three marriageable young ladies, from "A celebration in the neighboring village"
kurzbeschreibung
Unlike Daumier's political caricatures, this 1865 lithograph presents three young women in rural dress from the series 'A Festival in the Neighboring Village.' The scene is conceived as a caricature and, through its humorous tone, sets itself apart from the artist's satirical works.
Description
The three young ladies wear long, flowing garments and head coverings; their faces are drawn with exaggerated, caricatural features. In their interaction, arms and postures suggest dancing or play. A calm rural landscape with trees and a clear sky forms the backdrop. The black-and-white palette is typical of the lithographic technique.
Context
The lithograph was made on June 24, 1865, as part of a series about the rural festival in the neighboring village. During the Second Empire, Daumier regularly published political and social satires. The portrayal of marriageable young women points to contemporary social expectations about marriage and rural customs.
Impact
The exaggerated facial features and dynamic poses of the figures create a humorous, mildly ironic tone. The quiet landscape contrasts with the lively interaction of the ladies, giving the print a cheerful, almost idyllic mood.
Technique
Drawn with greasy chalk on stone and then printed, the lithographic process on newsprint is typical of Daumier's work. The present example is the third of three states according to Delteil, indicating several revisions of the print. The delicate lines and shading demonstrate Daumier's assured handling of the lithographic technique.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)