Artwork
Ph. Auguste Demesmay
Ph. Auguste Demesmay is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1849 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Ph.
About this work
Overview
Ph. Auguste Demesmay is a lithograph created by Honoré Daumier in 1849. The print depicts a man sitting on a rock, writing with a quill pen.
Subject & Meaning
The subject is shown with a serious expression, deeply engrossed in his writing. The simplicity of the background emphasizes the focus on the man and his activity, suggesting a sense of intensity or contemplation.
Technique & Style
The lithograph is executed in black and white, characteristic of Daumier's printmaking style. The sharp characterization of the figure reflects Daumier's skill in capturing nuanced expressions and postures.
Context
Daumier produced this work during a period of frequent contributions to satirical journals, using caricature to critique the French monarchy, aristocracy, and clergy. His republican democratic views informed his satirical practice, reflecting broader tensions in France between 1830 and 1870.
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.
