Artwork
Je crois que je tiens un lièvre ...
Je crois que je tiens un lièvre ... is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1856 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Honoré Daumier’s lithograph Je crois que je tiens un lièvre presents a solitary figure in a winter coat and hat, gesturing with a stick toward a small animal hidden among thick woodland. The composition captures a fleeting moment of a hunt, with the hare barely discernible through the dense foliage.
Subject & Meaning
The image portrays a hunter caught in the act of spotting a hare, emphasizing concentration and the tension of pursuit. By focusing on the pointed gesture and the elusive creature, Daumée underscores the interplay between human intent and the untamed natural world.
Technique & Style
Executed in lithography, the work retains Daumier’s characteristic loose, sketch‑like lines and rapid shading, which convey movement and immediacy. The contrast between the dark silhouette of the hunter and the lighter, stippled foliage creates depth while preserving a spontaneous, almost caricatural quality.
History & Provenance
Created during Daumier’s prolific period of printmaking in the mid‑19th century, the lithograph was produced as part of his series of genre scenes that documented everyday life. It has since passed through several private collections before entering a public museum’s holdings, where it remains accessible for study.
Context
The work reflects the popularity of hunting as a leisure activity in 19th‑century France and aligns with Daumier’s broader interest in portraying ordinary people engaged in routine tasks. Its rural setting and modest scale differentiate it from his more overtly political caricatures, highlighting his versatility as an observer of contemporary society.
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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.
