Artwork
Aspect de Paris, depuis qu'on a joue...
Aspect de Paris, depuis qu'on a joue... is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1856 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Aspect de Paris, depuis qu'on a joué is a lithograph by Honoré Daumier portraying a bustling Parisian street scene with a distinctive twist: hats hover above the crowd, each labeled with financial market terms.
Subject & Meaning
The floating hats, marked with commodities like 'cotton' and 'café', serve as a satirical commentary on the era's market speculation, critiquing how financial obsessions permeated daily life in Paris.
Technique & Style
Created using lithography, a technique allowing for mass production of images, Daumier's work showcases his ability to blend social critique with accessible, visually engaging graphics, characteristic of his satirical style.
History & Provenance
While specific provenance details are not provided, the work is attributed to Honoré Daumier, a prominent 19th-century French artist known for his satirical lithographs critiquing societal norms and political issues of his time.
Context
Produced in a period of economic fluctuation and growing middle-class involvement in financial markets, the lithograph reflects Daumier's observation of Parisians' preoccupation with speculative trading.
Legacy
This work contributes to Daumier's legacy as a pioneering satirical artist, using humor and irony to address serious social issues, influencing future generations of artists in both technique and thematic approach.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
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.
