Artwork
La bonne prise
La bonne prise is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1836 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
La bonne prise is a hand-colored lithograph created by Honoré Daumier in 1836. It exemplifies the artist's satirical approach to depicting French society.
Subject & Meaning
The print shows a man in a black top hat and coat, sniffing from a small box, his face reddened and expression contorted. The title, meaning 'the good pinch,' suggests the work is a commentary on the man's habit, likely snuff-taking, a common practice among the upper class.
Technique & Style
The lithograph is characterized by loose, sketchy lines and hand-coloring, giving it a spontaneous, caricature-like quality. Daumier's use of visual humor and exaggeration is typical of his satirical style.
Context
La bonne prise was created during the July Monarchy, a period Daumier frequently critiqued in his work, targeting the monarchy, aristocracy, and clergy. As a prolific contributor to satirical publications, Daumier's output reflected his republican democratic stance.
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.
