Artwork
Eh bien! Vous voila capitaine de la garde nationale
Eh bien! Vous voila capitaine de la garde nationale 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. Eh bien!
About this work
Overview
Eh bien! Vous voila capitaine de la garde nationale is a lithograph by Honoré Daumier, depicting a conversation between two middle-aged men. Their contrasting facial expressions and body language convey character nuances, characteristic of Daumier's socially aware artwork.
Subject & Meaning
The lithograph satirically portrays the pride of authority, juxtaposing a self-satisfied individual with a seemingly more introspective one. The subject may allude to the pretensions of those in positions of power, such as the captain of the National Guard referenced in the title.
Technique & Style
Executed in Daumier's distinctive style, the lithograph features rough, expressive lines. The emphasis on capturing fleeting facial expressions and postures reflects his background in quick, incisive caricatures, often targeting political figures.
History & Provenance
No specific historical ownership or exhibition record is provided for this particular work. It aligns with Daumier's mid-19th-century output, a period during which he actively produced lithographs for social commentary.
Context
Created amidst the social and political upheavals of 19th-century France, this work reflects Daumier's penchant for critiquing the bourgeoisie and those in authority. The National Guard, referenced in the title, played a significant role in French political life during this era.
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.
