Artwork

Mais ou est donc le perdreau

Mais ou est donc le perdreau, by Honoré Daumier, ink, 1858
Mais ou est donc le perdreau, by Honoré Daumier, ink, 1858

Mais ou est donc le perdreau is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1858 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Mais où est donc le perdreau is a lithograph created by Honoré Daumier in 1858, capturing a lighthearted moment between a hunter and another individual within a domestic setting.

Subject & Meaning

The print humorously portrays a hunter, equipped with a rifle and game bag, gesturing towards the bag's unseen contents, evoking curiosity and everyday relatability amidst the mundane backdrop of a furnished room.

Technique & Style

Executed in lithography, a technique allowing for mass reproduction of detailed images, Daumier's work blends accessibility with nuanced depiction of facial expressions and body language, enhancing the comedic effect.

History & Provenance

Created in 1858, specific details regarding the artwork's ownership history and exhibitions are not provided in the available information.

Context

Reflecting Daumier's propensity for satirizing everyday life, this piece likely comments on the juxtaposition of outdoor pursuits with indoor comforts, though its exact social commentary is subtle and open to interpretation.

Legacy

As part of Daumier's lithographic output, it contributes to his legacy of capturing 19th-century French life with wit, though its individual impact compared to his more politically charged works is less defined.

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.