Who painted En Irlande?

En Irlande was painted by Honoré Daumier in 1844.

Where can I see En Irlande?

En Irlande is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is En Irlande?

En Irlande is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of En Irlande?

Museum-quality prints of En Irlande are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

En Irlande

Honoré Daumier , 1844

En Irlande is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1844 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1844, *En Irlande* is a lithographic print on newsprint by French artist Honoré Daumier. The work belongs to his prolific series of satirical images that appeared in popular journals of the time, notably *La Caricature* and *Le Charivari*. Its modest material—cheap paper and a single‑color litho—reflects Daumier’s intent to reach a broad readership with timely social commentary.

Subject & Meaning

The image depicts three caricatured men in a poorly lit interior.

The image depicts three caricatured men in a poorly lit interior. One robed figure leans on a table with a disgruntled expression; a second stands with hands in his pockets, while a third reclines, smirking and holding a newspaper. The exaggerated features and sharp gestures convey a mocking tone, aimed at a contemporary figure named Stephens, whose identity was the target of a sarcastic remark printed beneath the scene.

Technique & Style

Daumier employed the lithographic process, drawing directly onto a stone with a greasy medium before transferring the image onto newsprint. Bold, sweeping lines define the characters, while cross‑hatching creates contrast and depth in the dim setting. The exaggerated proportions and expressive faces are characteristic of Daumier’s caricatural style, which blends humor with incisive observation.

History & Provenance

Issued as part of Daumier’s regular contributions to the politically engaged periodicals of the July Monarchy, the print circulated widely among the literate public. Its appearance in both *La Caricature* and *Le Charivari* situates it within the broader republican critique of monarchical and clerical authority that defined Daumier’s output during the 1840s.

Context

The 1840s in France were marked by intense political debate, with republican sentiment challenging the restored monarchy. Daumier, himself a supporter of democratic ideals, used his art to lampoon those he saw as upholding the old order. *En Irlande* exemplifies how visual satire functioned as a rapid, accessible form of political discourse, reaching readers through inexpensive newspaper formats.

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Artist & collection

Artist

Honoré Daumier

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.