Artwork

Charmant... trainant tous les coeurs après soi...

Charmant... trainant tous les coeurs après soi..., by Honoré Daumier, ink, 1839
Charmant... trainant tous les coeurs après soi..., by Honoré Daumier, ink, 1839

Charmant... trainant tous les coeurs après soi... is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1839 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Charmant.

About this work

Overview

Charmant... trainant tous les coeurs après soi... is a lithograph on newsprint created by Honoré Daumier in 1839. Characterized by loose, quick lines, the work depicts two figures in a seemingly everyday interaction, executed in the artist's distinctive observational style.

Subject & Meaning

The lithograph shows two individuals in a casual encounter: one formal and stiff, the other relaxed, leaning in. The title's wry commentary on charm and its allure suggests a satirical take on social dynamics, though the specific targets of the satire are not explicitly clear.

Technique & Style

Daumier's sharp, satirical style is evident in the rough, shaky lines and the use of newsprint, which impart a sense of immediacy and spontaneity. The quick, expressive strokes reflect the artist's ability to convey nuanced social commentary through minimal, yet effective, visual elements.

History & Provenance

Produced in 1839 for likely publication in a satirical journal like *La Caricature* or *Le Charivari*, this work aligns with Daumier's practice of critiquing French society through caricature. Specific provenance details are not provided.

Context

This lithograph is part of Daumier's broader body of work targeting the social, political, and religious establishment of 19th-century France. Its themes of social interaction and charm place it within his observations of everyday life and the people in it.

Legacy

While not individually renowned, *Charmant... trainant tous les coeurs après soi...* contributes to Daumier's legacy as a pioneering satirical artist, influencing future generations with his direct, socially conscious approach to art.

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.