Who painted Le défenseur de Calas consolé...?

Le défenseur de Calas consolé... was painted by Honoré Daumier in 1871.

Where can I see Le défenseur de Calas consolé...?

Le défenseur de Calas consolé... is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Le défenseur de Calas consolé...?

Le défenseur de Calas consolé... is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Le défenseur de Calas consolé...

Honoré Daumier , 1871

Le défenseur de Calas consolé... is a print by the Impressionist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1871 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Le défenseur de Calas consolé.

About this work

Overview

Le défenseur de Calas consolé... is a 1871 gillotype print on newsprint by French artist Honoré Daumier, characterized by expressive, sketchy lines and a blend of drama and satire.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a robed figure on a pedestal labeled 'VOLTAIRE', gesturing with one arm and holding a scroll, set against a backdrop of a guillotine, flowers, and a crowd, alluding to the historical figure's advocacy, notably in the Calas case, and symbolizing Daumier's critique of authority through reference to Voltaire's championing of justice.

Technique & Style

Daumier employed the gillotage process to produce the print, marked by quick, expressive lines that convey movement and emotion, eschewing smooth details for a dynamic, caricatured effect typical of his satirical approach.

History & Provenance

Created in 1871, the work falls within Daumier's late period, following the fall of the Second Empire, and aligns with his long-standing practice of satirical commentary on French society and politics through widely circulated newspaper illustrations.

Context

As a republican democrat, Daumier frequently targeted the monarchy, aristocracy, and clergy in his works for publications like *La Caricature* and *Le Charivari*, situating *Le défenseur de Calas consolé...* within a broader critique of French authority and a celebration of Enlightenment figures like Voltaire.

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.