Artwork
Merci, ma vieille, trop décrépite! ...
Merci, ma vieille, trop décrépite! ... is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1872 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Merci, ma vieille, trop décrépite!
About this work
Overview
Merci, ma vieille, trop décrépite! is a 1872 lithograph by Honoré Daumier, depicting a conversation between two elderly figures through exaggerated caricature.
Subject & Meaning
The piece satirically comments on aging and societal expectations, emphasizing the contrast between the characters' dignified attire (notably the man's tall hat and the woman's large collar) and their visibly advanced age, highlighting the disparity between outward appearance and physical decline.
Technique & Style
Executed with greasy crayon on stone, the lithograph showcases Daumier's mastery of the medium, characterized by bold, expressive lines that amplify the comedic and critical aspects of the scene, drawing attention to the figures' sagging features and ill-fitting clothing.
History & Provenance
Created in 1872, specific provenance details are not provided, though the work aligns with Daumier's late-period focus on social commentary through caricature.
Context
This work reflects Daumier's broader critique of 19th-century French society, using humor to address themes of aging, class, and the human condition, inviting viewers to ponder the tension between dignity and decline.
Legacy
As part of Daumier's oeuvre, it contributes to his legacy as a pioneering caricaturist, influencing subsequent artists in the use of satire and lithography for 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.
