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 an ink 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

Above, the words *"Musée des Souverains"* mean "Museum of Kings," and the man is stomping on a crown labeled 1870.

This sketch shows a big man in work clothes swinging a hammer at a pile of broken crowns and a tiny king. The years 1815, 1830, and 1848 are carved into the ground like tombstones. Above, the words *"Musée des Souverains"* mean "Museum of Kings," and the man is stomping on a crown labeled 1870.

The broken crowns and dates might mean this is mocking old kings who lost power. Daumier used sharp drawings to make fun of politics.

Next, look up lithography to see how artists like Daumier made prints like this.

Overview

A qui le tour? is a lithograph created by Honoré Daumier in 1870, exemplifying his satirical approach to political commentary through caricature during the late Second French Empire.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a laborer dismantling a pile of broken crowns, with specific historical dates (1815, 1830, 1848) and a targeted crown labeled 1870, symbolizing the downfall of monarchies and Daumier's support for republican democracy.

Technique & Style

Characterized by sharp, caricatured drawings, the work showcases Daumier's adept use of lithography to convey biting social and political critique, a hallmark of his contributions to publications like La Caricature and Le Charivari.

History & Provenance

Produced in 1870, the lithograph marks a late example of Daumier's long-standing practice of visually critiquing French political and social structures, from the 1830 Revolution to the Empire's demise.

Context

Emerging during the final years of the Second French Empire, A qui le tour? reflects the tumultuous political climate and Daumier's role as a vocal, visually driven commentator on French life and politics.

Legacy

This work contributes to Daumier's legacy as a pioneering caricaturist, highlighting the enduring impact of lithography as a medium for political satire and social commentary in 19th-century France.

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.