Artwork
Dire que dans mon temps, moi aussi ...
Dire que dans mon temps, moi aussi ... is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1857 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Honoré Daumier’s 1857 lithograph, titled “Dire que dans mon temps, moi aussi …,” captures a fleeting moment on a stage. A dancer, caught in a twirling motion, dominates the composition, while a seated spectator watches her intently, creating a vivid dialogue between performance and audience.
Subject & Meaning
The work portrays a solitary dancer whose swirling, striped costume suggests rapid movement, contrasted with the still, focused figure of a man seated nearby. The juxtaposition emphasizes the immediacy of live entertainment and the personal engagement of the viewer with the performer’s kinetic energy.
Technique & Style
Executed in lithography, Daumier exploits the medium’s capacity for bold, gestural marks. The print features rough, uneven edges, dense dark shadows, and striking white highlights that together convey motion and atmosphere. The fluid lines and stark contrasts underline the dynamism of the scene.
History & Provenance
Created in 1857, the lithograph belongs to Daumier’s series of stage and circus subjects produced during the mid‑nineteenth century. It reflects his ongoing interest in popular entertainment and the everyday lives of Parisians, themes that recur throughout his oeuvre.
Context
During the 1850s, lithography became a popular means for artists to disseminate images quickly and affordably. Daumée’s choice of this medium allowed him to capture the immediacy of theatrical performances, aligning his work with contemporary trends in visual culture and mass‑produced art.
Own this work as a print
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.
