Artwork
Le Sommeil d'Endymion-Berryer
Le Sommeil d'Endymion-Berryer is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1851 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Le Sommeil d'Endymion-Berryer is a 1851 lithograph by Honoré Daumier, a French artist known for his social and political commentary.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a sleeping man, identified with the mythological figure Endymion, in a modern context, satirizing contemporary themes. A standing figure looms over him, adding to the scene's intrigue.
Technique & Style
The lithograph is rendered in a realistic style, with detailed textures and chiaroscuro creating depth and volume. The dark background, punctuated by trees and bushes, adds to the overall effect.
Context
Daumier produced this work during a period of frequent contributions to satirical publications, reflecting his republican democratic views and critique of public life and institutions.
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.
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