My deceased husband gave me tickets…, from 'L'Imagination' published in Le Charivari
Original title: My deceased husband gave me tickets…, from ‘L’Imagination’ published in Le Charivari January 14, 1833
kurzbeschreibung
Honoré Daumier's lithograph from 1833 presents a woman surrounded by musicians in a modest room. She seems lost in thought while coins lie scattered on the floor before her. The print belongs to the series 'L'Imagination' and appeared on January 14, 1833, in the satirical journal Le Charivari.
Description
In a rustic interior, a woman wearing a hat sits on a chair and gazes pensively at her lap. Around her, a group of people play drum and pipe. Coins are scattered in the foreground, suggesting a connection to gambling. A shelf with pots and pans and simple furniture define the space. The rendering is monochromatic with even light and no harsh shadows; realistic details combine with caricatural features.
Context
When Daumier was working regularly for Le Charivari in January 1833, this lithograph was created. The series 'L'Imagination' took up social and everyday situations with an ironic undertone. The print conveys an impression of Parisian life in the 1830s, when gambling and musical entertainment were widespread. Daumier used lithography as a medium for social-critical commentary that reached a broad audience.
Impact
The everyday setting and the absurd musical group make the scene appear both familiar and grotesque. The woman's thoughtful posture contrasts with the noisy surroundings, creating an ironic tension. The detailed description invites viewers to question the social implications of the scene.
Technique
Lithography, a printing process based on the repulsion of grease and water. Daumier worked with chalk on the stone to create fine lines and shading. This is the second state of two, indicating that the plate was reworked.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)