Artwork
Disciples de M. Cobden
Disciples de M. Cobden is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1849 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Disciples de M.
About this work
Overview
Disciples de M. Cobden is a lithograph by Honoré Daumier, featuring two caricatured figures in a cluttered room amidst a humorous, chaotic scene involving small animals, specifically rats.
Subject & Meaning
The print satirically portrays human susceptibility to fright, as one man, startled by a rat, brandishes a broom while the other reacts with amused fascination, highlighting exaggerated reactions to minor disturbances.
Technique & Style
Daumier's characteristic sharp lines and exaggerated expressions and actions are on display, creating a visually vibrant and comedic effect that critiques societal behavior.
Context
Typical of Daumier's work, this lithograph reflects his penchant for mocking political and social norms, using everyday, relatable scenarios to convey satirical commentary.
Legacy
As part of Daumier's oeuvre, 'Disciples de M. Cobden' contributes to the artist's legacy of influential social satire in 19th-century French art, appealing to viewers who enjoy his distinctive style of humorous critique.
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.
