Artwork

Ce n'est pas sous l"empire qu'on aurait dansé comme ca! ...

Ce n'est pas sous l"empire qu'on aurait dansé comme ca! ..., by Honoré Daumier, ink, 1849
Ce n'est pas sous l"empire qu'on aurait dansé comme ca! ..., by Honoré Daumier, ink, 1849

Ce n'est pas sous l"empire qu'on aurait dansé comme ca! ... is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1849 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Ce n'est pas sous l'empire qu'on aurait dansé comme ça!

About this work

Overview

Ce n'est pas sous l'empire qu'on aurait dansé comme ça! is a lithograph by Honoré Daumier depicting a couple in formal 19th-century attire strolling arm in arm in a lively outdoor setting, surrounded by other elegantly dressed individuals.

Subject & Meaning

The subject is a moment of leisure and social interaction between two people, set against the backdrop of a vibrant outdoor gathering. The scene conveys a sense of happiness and communal joy, highlighting the social vibrancy of the era.

Technique & Style

Executed in monochrome lithography, the work showcases Daumier's use of this medium to capture dynamic scenes of everyday life with simplicity and expressive depth, emphasizing the contrast between the foreground couple and the bustling background.

History & Provenance

While specific provenance details are not provided, the lithograph is characteristic of Daumier's 19th-century output, reflecting his interest in depicting contemporary French society.

Context

Created during a time of social change in France, the lithograph offers a glimpse into the leisure activities and formal social gatherings of the 19th-century bourgeoisie, contrasting with the implied stricter norms of the Empire period referenced in the title.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Honoré Daumier

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.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.