Who painted Le lecture du charivari?

Le lecture du charivari was painted by Honoré Daumier in 1801.

Where can I see Le lecture du charivari?

Le lecture du charivari is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Le lecture du charivari?

Le lecture du charivari is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Le lecture du charivari

Honoré Daumier , 1801

Le lecture du charivari is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1801 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Honoré Daumier’s lithograph presents a brief, domestic scene in which two men are absorbed in a copy of the satirical newspaper Le Charivari. The composition is simple, focusing on the two readers and the oversized paper, and captures a moment of quiet amusement that reflects the everyday engagement with contemporary caricature.

Subject & Meaning

The work juxtaposes a gentleman in a top hat with a bespectacled companion, highlighting a subtle contrast between social standing and intellectual seriousness. Their shared attention to the newspaper underscores the pervasive reach of Le Charivari’s humor and criticism, suggesting that satire was a common point of reference across different strata of 19th‑century Parisian society.

Technique & Style

Executed as a lithograph, Daumier employs bold line work and limited tonal variation to delineate the figures and the newspaper’s headline. The medium allows for crisp detail in the characters’ attire while preserving a loose, sketch‑like quality that conveys immediacy and the fleeting nature of the reading moment.

History & Provenance

Created during Daumier’s prolific period of newspaper illustration, the print reflects his long‑standing relationship with Le Charivari, for which he produced numerous caricatures. The lithograph has circulated in various collections of 19th‑century French prints, illustrating the artist’s dual role as both commentator and chronicler of contemporary public discourse.

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.