Who painted Le Ravageur?

Le Ravageur was painted by Honoré Daumier in 1842.

Where can I see Le Ravageur?

Le Ravageur is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Le Ravageur?

Le Ravageur is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Le Ravageur

Honoré Daumier , 1842

Le Ravageur is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1842 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Le Ravageur is a 1842 lithograph by Honoré Daumier, part of a series of satirical prints published in Parisian newspapers during the July Monarchy and early Second Republic.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts two impoverished figures rummaging through trash on a rain-soaked street, symbolizing the struggles of poor Parisians forced to scavenge for survival. The title, meaning 'The Scavenger', underscores Daumier's critique of social inequality.

Technique & Style

Characterized by exaggerated forms and rough lines, the lithograph exemplifies Daumier's caricatural style. The use of lithography on newsprint ensured wide circulation among urban masses, aligning with the print's democratic and socially critical intent.

History & Provenance

Originally published in newspapers like *La Caricature* and *Le Charivari*, the print's current location and ownership are not specified in available information.

Context

Created amidst the social and political upheaval of the July Monarchy and early Second Republic, *Le Ravageur* reflects Daumier's republican sympathies, targeting the monarchy, aristocracy, and clergy through satirical commentary.

Legacy

While specific legacy details of *Le Ravageur* are not provided, Daumier's body of satirical work, including this print, contributed significantly to the development of political caricature and social critique in 19th-century art.

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.