Artwork

Madame Prudhomme...

Madame Prudhomme..., by Honoré Daumier, ink, 1854
Madame Prudhomme..., by Honoré Daumier, ink, 1854

Madame Prudhomme... is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1854 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Madame Prudhomme, a lithograph on wove paper created by Honoré Daumier in 1854, exemplifies the artist's satirical approach to depicting French society during the mid-19th century.

Subject & Meaning

The print portrays a casual beach scene with a woman, man, and child, amidst other background figures. Beneath its everyday surface, the work likely critiques aspects of contemporary French life, aligning with Daumier's republican democrat stance and penchant for social commentary.

Technique & Style

Daumier employed bold lines and vivid colors to infuse the scene with energy and movement. The use of plaid patterns in the woman's dress and the man's shirt adds visual complexity, highlighting his attention to detail in capturing mundane life.

History & Provenance

Originally published in a satirical journal like *La Caricature* or *Le Charivari*, this lithograph is part of Daumier's extensive body of work critiquing the monarchy, aristocracy, and clergy during the mid-19th century.

Context

Created during a period of social and political upheaval in France, *Madame Prudhomme* reflects Daumier's ongoing commentary on the lives and hypocrisies of the French bourgeoisie and upper classes.

Legacy

As part of Daumier's prolific satirical output, *Madame Prudhomme* contributes to the artist's legacy as a keen observer and critic of 19th-century French society, influencing future generations of satirists and social commentators.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Honoré Daumier

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.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.