About the Bank of France's new cellars: I wouldn't mind being the sommelier in that house!, from 'News of the day,' published in Le Charivari, February 16, 1866
Original title: About the Bank of France's new cellars: I wouldn't mind being the sommelier in that house!, from 'News of the day,' published in Le Charivari, February 16, 1866
kurzbeschreibung
A man in protective gear peers into the depths while passersby stand on the street above—Honoré Daumier's 1866 lithograph plays with the new cellars of the Banque de France. The print combines a street scene with an underground construction site bustling with workers. Printed on newsprint, it is the second state of two.
Description
In the foreground, a man in work gear directs his gaze downward. Several women in elegant dresses stand on the street, looking over at him with curiosity or concern. Above them, the words 'BANQUE FRANCE' are visible. In the lower half of the image, several workers appear in an underground setting, some with shovels, evidently moving material. The layout clearly separates street level from cellar level and has a lively feel.
Context
Daumier published this lithograph in the satirical newspaper Le Charivari, for which he regularly drew political and social caricatures. In the 1860s, the Banque de France was indeed building new cellar facilities, which drew public attention. Daumier took this up and commented on it humorously, emphasizing the contrast between the elegant world of the street and the working world of the cellars.
Impact
An amusing tension arises between the superficial curiosity of the passersby and the heavy labor underground. The caricatural exaggeration of the figures and the ironic caption give the print a satirical note that prompts reflection on social hierarchies.
Technique
The lithograph was printed on newsprint, as was typical for Daumier's satirical works. It is the second state of two, executed with black ink on stone. This technique allows for fine lines and shading that precisely render the figures and spatial depth.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)