Artwork
Le mère de la débutante
Le mère de la débutante is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1864 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Le mère de la débutante, a lithograph by Honoré Daumier, depicts a scene of two women in a vibrant theater setting, offering a glimpse into the social dynamics of 19th-century France.
Subject & Meaning
The artwork juxtaposes two female figures, one passive with clasped hands, the other actively gesturing towards the crowd, highlighting the contrasting societal expectations and roles imposed on women during this era.
Technique & Style
Executed in lithography, the piece showcases Daumier's use of this medium to capture nuanced social commentary through expressive figures and lively atmospheric detail.
Context
Created in 19th-century France, the work reflects the artist's observation of the bourgeoisie and the restrictive gender norms of the time, characteristic of Daumier's satirical and observant approach to depicting everyday life.
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.
