Who painted Femme de lettre humanitaire se livrant sur l'homme ...?

Femme de lettre humanitaire se livrant sur l'homme ... was painted by Honoré Daumier in 1844.

Where can I see Femme de lettre humanitaire se livrant sur l'homme ...?

Femme de lettre humanitaire se livrant sur l'homme ... is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Femme de lettre humanitaire se livrant sur l'homme ...?

Femme de lettre humanitaire se livrant sur l'homme ... is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Femme de lettre humanitaire se livrant sur l'homme ...

Honoré Daumier , 1844

Femme de lettre humanitaire se livrant sur l'homme ... 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

Femme de lettre humanitaire se livrant sur l'homme, a lithograph by Honoré Daumier (1844), portrays a contemplative woman surrounded by symbols of mortality and intellectual pursuits.

Subject & Meaning

The subject, attired in a long dark gown and glasses, holds a human skull in a dimly lit space, juxtaposing themes of mortality, introspection, and possibly the hypocrisy of altruistic rhetoric, as implied by the contrast between her scholarly setting and the stark reminder of death.

Technique & Style

Daumier utilized lithography to create this work, a medium chosen for its capacity to produce multiple affordable prints, ensuring wide dissemination of his social commentary.

History & Provenance

Created in 1844, the lithograph's current location is the National Gallery of Art, Washington, where it is part of a collection showcasing Daumier's satirical prints.

Context

This piece reflects Daumier's critique of societal hypocrisies, particularly targeting those who espouse humanitarian ideals without acknowledging the inevitability of death.

Legacy

As part of Daumier's body of work, it contributes to his legacy as a sharp social commentator, using accessible art forms to engage a broad audience with his critiques.

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.