Artwork
Cherchant a fasciner une riche ...
Cherchant a fasciner une riche ... is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1852 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Cherchant à fasciner une riche is a lithograph by Honoré Daumier, depicting a man performing for an audience of elegantly dressed women in a concert hall-like setting.
Subject & Meaning
The scene captures the dynamic between a male performer and his female audience, highlighting the social interactions of 19th-century France. The man's raised hands suggest a captivating performance, while the women's elegant attire underscores their social status.
Technique & Style
Created using lithography, the print features stylized elements such as the chandeliers, which contribute to its distinctive visual style. The technique allowed Daumier to produce a detailed and nuanced image.
Context
The work reflects the cultural and social context of 19th-century France, where public performances were an important aspect of social life. The image offers insight into the dynamics between performers and their audiences during this period.
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.
