Oedipe was painted by Honoré Daumier in 1851.

Where can I see Oedipe?

Oedipe is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Oedipe?

Oedipe is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of Oedipe?

Museum-quality prints of Oedipe are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Oedipe

Honoré Daumier , 1851

Oedipe is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1851 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Oedipe is a lithograph created by Honoré Daumier in 1851. It is a work by a prominent French artist known for satirical commentary on 19th-century French society.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a scene referencing the mythological figure Oedipus, a subject Daumier used to convey social commentary. Two hunched figures are shown in a dimly lit room, one slumped and covered, the other leaning over, gripping their shoulder.

Technique & Style

Daumier employed rough, sketchy lines and dark shading to convey emotion and create a sense of urgency. The use of quick, expressive strokes over precise detail was a notable aspect of his style, contributing to a raw, unpolished feel.

Context

As a caricaturist for publications like La Caricature and Le Charivari, Daumier critiqued the monarchy, aristocracy, and clergy from the July Revolution through the Second French Empire, often blending classical themes with contemporary commentary.

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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.