Who painted Modes du printemps de 1855?

Modes du printemps de 1855 was painted by Honoré Daumier in 1855.

Where can I see Modes du printemps de 1855?

Modes du printemps de 1855 is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Modes du printemps de 1855?

Modes du printemps de 1855 is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Modes du printemps de 1855

Honoré Daumier , 1855

Modes du printemps de 1855 is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1855 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

The title at the bottom says "Fashions of Spring 1855," so this is a snapshot of what people wore that year.

This sketch shows three people dressed in fancy, old-fashioned clothes. The woman in the front wears a huge, layered skirt and a fancy hat, sitting with her hands folded. Behind her, a man in a top hat and a woman in a big bonnet stand nearby. The background looks like a busy street with trees and buildings drawn in quick, sketchy lines.

The title at the bottom says "Fashions of Spring 1855," so this is a snapshot of what people wore that year. The artist used a rough, fast style to show everyday life instead of polished portraits.

Next, check out lithography to see how this sketch was made.

Overview

Modes du printemps de 1855 is a lithograph by Honoré Daumier, created in 1855. It captures a scene of three individuals dressed in fashionable, albeit somewhat antiquated, attire amidst a bustling street backdrop.

Subject & Meaning

The lithograph satirically depicts the social elite of the time, with the subjects' elaborate clothing contrasting with the everyday, mundane setting. This contrast reflects Daumier's critique of social hierarchies during the Second French Empire.

Technique & Style

Executed in a characteristic rough and rapid style, the work emphasizes the portrayal of everyday life over refined aesthetics. The sketchy lines in the background, juxtaposed with the more defined figures, highlight Daumier's expressive use of lithography.

History & Provenance

Produced during the Second French Empire, this work aligns with Daumier's republican views and his practice of using accessible print media for social commentary, as seen in his contributions to *La Caricature* and *Le Charivari*.

Context

Situated within Daumier's broader oeuvre examining public life from the 1830 Revolution to 1870, *Modes du printemps de 1855* offers a snapshot of 1855's fashion trends while critiquing the social landscape of the era.

Artist & collection

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.