The king of pumpkins receiving the homage of his subjects
Original title: The king of pumpkins receiving the homage of his subjects, from 'Autumn sketches,' published in Le Charivari, September 23, 1865
kurzbeschreibung
A giant pumpkin is crowned king: in 1865 Honoré Daumier drew two men paying homage to this ruler. The print belongs to the 'Autumn Sketches' series and appeared on 23 September 1865 in the satirical magazine Le Charivari. It was executed as a lithograph on newsprint, in the second of two states according to Delteil.
Description
Two figures turn toward the mighty pumpkin, which dominates the layout and sits slightly offset in the background. On the left stands a bearded man with a hat, jacket, and trousers; on the right, one with a cap, checked top, and long ribbed trousers. Trees and an autumnal landscape in shades of gray form the backdrop. Below the figures, lines of dialogue are inserted as captions that explain the course of the scene.
Context
Daumier published this lithograph on 23 September 1865 in Le Charivari. It belongs to the 'Autumn Sketches' series, which combined seasonal motifs with social commentary. The artist was known for his political and social caricatures that opposed abuses. In the pumpkin king and the reverence shown to him, a satirical thrust against authority figures and their worship can be recognized.
Impact
The exaggerated pumpkin figure and the deferential posture of the two men create a humorous-ironic tone. Because the image remains in grayscale and the arrangement is clearly structured, the eye falls immediately on the absurd event. The speech bubbles below the motif sharpen the satire and prompt reflection on power relations.
Technique
The motif was printed as a lithograph on newsprint, a process Daumier used for mass production. The second state of the print is classified according to Delteil. This method allowed for fine lines and shading, which are executed here in grayscale.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)