Artwork
Les augures modernes ...
Les augures modernes ... is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1867 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Honoré Daumier’s 1867 lithograph titled *Les augures modernes* presents a brief encounter between two figures whose contrasting dress and posture immediately draw the viewer’s attention. Executed in the medium of lithography, the print captures a moment of dialogue, using stark visual differences to hint at underlying social distinctions.
Subject & Meaning
The composition juxtaposes a formally attired individual with a more casually dressed counterpart, each adopting distinct gestures that suggest differing levels of confidence and authority. Through these visual cues, Daumier comments on the varied social roles and personalities present in mid‑nineteenth‑century French society, inviting reflection on class and character.
Technique & Style
Created with the lithographic process, the work relies on the artist’s skill in drawing directly onto a stone surface, allowing for fluid lines and nuanced shading. Daumier’s characteristic economy of line and subtle tonal variations convey texture and expression, while the stark contrast between the figures underscores the thematic focus on social disparity.
Context
Produced during a period of rapid urbanization and political change in France, the print reflects Daumier’s ongoing interest in everyday life and public discourse. The 1860s saw heightened attention to the lives of ordinary citizens, and Daumier’s work aligns with contemporary concerns about class visibility and the shifting public sphere.
History & Provenance
The lithograph was first issued in 1867, a year after Daumier’s most prolific period of caricature and social observation. Copies have circulated among private collections and museum holdings, illustrating the enduring interest in his ability to encapsulate societal nuances within a single, accessible print.
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.
