Who painted A qui le tour??

A qui le tour? was painted by Honoré Daumier in 1870.

Where can I see A qui le tour??

A qui le tour? is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is A qui le tour??

A qui le tour? is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

A qui le tour?

Honoré Daumier , 1870

A qui le tour? is a print by the Impressionist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1870 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

The smaller shapes are labeled with years like 1848 and 1865, lying on the ground like broken things.

This sketch shows a big, angry figure swinging a club at a pile of smaller, twisted shapes. The big figure wears a long coat and hat, looking fierce. The smaller shapes are labeled with years like 1848 and 1865, lying on the ground like broken things.

The title at the bottom, *A qui le tour?*, means "Whose turn is it?" in French. It’s poking fun at power and change, using old dates to show history repeating.

If you like this kind of sharp political art, check out Daumier, Honoré.

Overview

A qui le tour? is a 1870 gillotype print on newsprint by Honoré Daumier, exemplifying his satirical approach to French political commentary.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a large, angry figure in a long coat and hat, wielding a club against a pile of twisted, labeled shapes (with years such as 1848 and 1865), symbolizing the cyclical nature of power struggles and historical repetition. The title, translating to 'Whose turn is it?', underscores the satire on the transience of power.

Technique & Style

Executed in gillotype on newsprint, the work reflects Daumier's proficiency in printmaking, a medium he leveraged for widespread dissemination of his satirical commentary through newspapers.

History & Provenance

Created in 1870, the work coincides with the fall of the Second French Empire, capping Daumier's decades-long critique of French political institutions from the 1830 Revolution onwards.

Context

Published likely through outlets like *La Caricature* or *Le Charivari*, where Daumier was a regular contributor, the print engaged a broad audience in contemporary political discourse.

Legacy

A qui le tour? contributes to Daumier's legacy as a pioneering satirical printmaker, influencing the development of political caricature in the 19th century.

Artist & collection

Artist

Honoré Daumier

Honoré-Victorin Daumier was a French painter, sculptor, and printmaker, whose many works offer commentary on the social and political life in France, from the Revolution of 1830 to the fall of the Second French Empire in 1870.