Who painted Bobonne... ne le regarde pas tant!?

Bobonne... ne le regarde pas tant! was painted by Honoré Daumier in 1836.

Where can I see Bobonne... ne le regarde pas tant!?

Bobonne... ne le regarde pas tant! is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Bobonne... ne le regarde pas tant!?

Bobonne... ne le regarde pas tant! is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Bobonne... ne le regarde pas tant!

Honoré Daumier , 1836

Bobonne... ne le regarde pas tant! is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1836 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1836, this hand‑colored lithograph by Honoré Daumier captures a bustling street tableau populated by caricatured figures. Central to the composition is a caged, shaggy ape perched on a balcony, drawing the gaze of a top‑hat‑wearing gentleman and a surrounding crowd. The scene is rendered with bold outlines and a limited palette, giving it a lively, slightly absurd atmosphere.

Subject & Meaning

The print satirizes contemporary fascination with exotic spectacles, using the ape as a focal point for public curiosity and folly. The exaggerated expressions of onlookers—ranging from a turned‑away woman in a bright dress to a child clutching a ball—underscore the frivolity and voyeurism of mass entertainment in early‑19th‑century Paris, reflecting Daumier’s critique of social pretensions.

Technique & Style

This combination of precise draftsmanship and vivid coloration creates a dynamic, almost theatrical scene that emphasizes the grotesque humor of the subject.

Daumier employed lithography, a printmaking process that allowed rapid production of multiple copies, and added hand‑applied color to enhance visual impact. The work is characterized by stark, confident lines and flat areas of color, typical of his caricatural approach. This combination of precise draftsmanship and vivid coloration creates a dynamic, almost theatrical scene that emphasizes the grotesque humor of the subject.

History & Provenance

Issued for the satirical journals of the period, the lithograph aligns with Daumier’s prolific output of political and social commentary for publications such as *La Caricature* and *Le Charivari*. Though primarily known as a painter and sculptor, Daumier’s prints circulated widely among the urban middle class, reinforcing his reputation as a republican observer of French society.

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.