The bearded lady: Imprudent woman! You dare hunt on my territory! Tragedy: What! Don't I have a beard as well?, from 'News of the day,' published in Le Charivari, February 16, 1867
Original title: The bearded lady: Imprudent woman! You dare hunt on my territory! Tragedy: What! Don't I have a beard as well?, from 'News of the day,' published in Le Charivari, February 16, 1867
kurzbeschreibung
Honoré Daumier's 1867 lithograph shows a bearded woman in an aggressive stance, confronting another person. The print comes from the series 'News of the Day' and was published in the magazine Le Charivari. It is a print on newsprint, representing the second of two states.
Description
A bearded woman with her arm raised makes a threatening gesture; her loose, untidy clothing underscores the aggression. Beside her stands a second figure in a long gown, upright yet reserved. Both figures are on a platform, surrounded by a group of curious heads. The background remains dark and undefined, the color scheme limited to grays, as was usual for lithographs of that period.
Context
The lithograph was made in 1867 for the satirical magazine Le Charivari, for which Daumier worked regularly. It belongs to the series 'News of the Day', which took aim at daily events and social phenomena. The figure of the bearded woman refers to the sensational attractions of the time, such as those seen at fairs and in curiosity cabinets.
Impact
The bearded woman's dominant pose and the gloomy background create a dramatic, almost threatening atmosphere. Fine lines and shading of the lithograph give the image a lively, detailed feel that reinforces the satirical tone.
Technique
The print was produced as a lithograph on newsprint—a method characteristic of Daumier. The precise handling of the lithographic technique is evident in the fine lines and graduated gray values. The impression is in the second state of two, as recorded in the Delteil catalogue.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)