Artwork
Concert européen
Concert européen is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1867 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Concert européen is a lithograph created by Honoré Daumier in 1867, depicting an incongruous scene that juxtaposes military and musical elements.
Subject & Meaning
A figure in Roman-like armor sits atop a cannon, overlooked by a lively orchestra with exaggerated facial expressions, led by a conductor wielding a diminutive baton. The composition wryly suggests a 'concert of war', using humor to comment on the intersection of conflict and culture.
Technique & Style
Daumier employed lithography, a technique involving ink on a flat stone, to produce bold, expressive lines. The work's caricature style, characterized by exaggerated features and postures, amplifies the humorous and satirical intent.
History & Provenance
Created in 1867, the lithograph reflects Daumier's practice of using visual satire to engage with contemporary political and social issues, a common approach among French artists of his time.
Context
Within the broader context of 19th-century French art, 'Concert européen' exemplifies the use of caricature as a vehicle for social commentary, poking fun at the seriousness of war and the formality of classical music.
Legacy
This work contributes to Daumier's legacy as a pioneering caricaturist, influencing the development of satirical art and printmaking techniques in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
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.
