Artwork
Les Suites d'une insurrection

Les Suites d'une insurrection is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1849 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Les Suites d'une insurrection is a lithograph created by Honoré Daumier in 1849, exemplifying his critical commentary on French society amidst political turmoil.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a stark contrast between two figures: a stern, arms-crossed man standing over a kneeling, pleading figure in a pointed hat and long robe, set against a simple, disrupted interior. This juxtaposition conveys the social and political tensions of the time, particularly the struggles between authority and the oppressed.
Technique & Style
Executed in lithograph, the work showcases Daumier's mastery of the medium, characteristic of his satirical style. While often associated with satire, the emotional intensity and dramatic pose of the figures also align with elements of the Romantic movement, emphasizing strong emotions and contrasts.
History & Provenance
Created in 1849, this lithograph falls within Daumier's prolific period of producing satirical prints for publications like La Caricature and Le Charivari, reflecting his republican democrat stance against monarchy, aristocracy, and clergy.
Context
Les Suites d'une insurrection is set against the backdrop of the Revolution of 1830 and the onset of the Second French Empire, capturing the ongoing social and political upheavals of 19th-century France.
Legacy
As part of Daumier's body of satirical work, this lithograph contributes to his legacy as a vocal critic of his time, influencing future generations of artists in using art as a form of social commentary.
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.



















