Artwork
Chiennes de bottes!...
Chiennes de bottes!... is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1840 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Chiennes de bottes!
About this work
Overview
Chiennes de bottes!... is a lithograph created by Honoré Daumier in 1840, exemplifying his satirical work during the July Monarchy.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a man in elaborate attire walking awkwardly, his oversized legs causing him to stumble, as onlookers in outdated clothing observe or pass by. The scene ridicules pretentious behavior, with the man's exaggerated pose and the crowd's reactions conveying a sense of absurdity.
Technique & Style
Daumier employed lithography, a technique involving stone and ink, to produce the print, achieving a sharp, detailed image that effectively conveyed his satirical message.
Context
As a republican democrat, Daumier used his art to critique the French monarchy, aristocracy, and clergy, contributing to journals like La Caricature and Le Charivari, and addressing the social and political tensions of his time.
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.
