Artwork
Fesant toutes partie de la plus belle moitié...
Fesant toutes partie de la plus belle moitié... is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1847 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1847, this lithograph by Honoré Daumier forms part of his extensive series of satirical prints that appeared in Parisian periodicals such as *La Caricature* and *Le Charivari*. Produced during the politically turbulent years of the July Monarchy and the early Second Republic, the work reflects Daumier’s commitment to republican ideals and his habit of using humor to critique authority.
Subject & Meaning
The image presents two formally dressed men; one clutches a small bird while the other studies a sheet of paper. Their expressions are weary and their attire appears disheveled, suggesting a critique of bureaucratic indolence. The bird functions as a visual metaphor for the trivial or unproductive tasks assigned to officials, underscoring Daumier’s disdain for complacent governance.
Technique & Style
Executed in lithography, the print relies on crisp, decisive lines that convey both the figures’ posture and the satirical tone.
Executed in lithography, the print relies on crisp, decisive lines that convey both the figures’ posture and the satirical tone. Daumier’s economical use of line work captures the fatigue and sloppiness of the subjects with minimal detail, allowing the viewer to grasp the commentary at a glance. The contrast between the clean outlines of the suits and the looseness of the figures enhances the ironic effect.
History & Provenance
Originally published in a mid‑nineteenth‑century French newspaper, the lithograph circulated among readers as part of Daumier’s regular contributions that targeted the monarchy, aristocracy, and clergy. Over time it entered private collections before being acquired by public institutions, where it now serves as a documented example of political caricature from the era of the July Monarchy and the early Second Republic.
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.
