Artwork
Poids et mesures
Poids et mesures is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1840 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Honoré Daumier's 1840 lithograph 'Poids et mesures' presents an intimate scene of two women standing face to face, their contrasting poses and expressions sparking reflection on social interactions and character.
Subject & Meaning
The lithograph juxtaposes a hunched woman with one who leans back in apparent surprise, subtly alluding to social class tensions in Paris through body language, eschewing explicit narrative for suggestive contrast.
Technique & Style
Daumier utilizes lithography's capabilities to create striking visual contrast, with dark outlines set against a light background, enhancing the emotional and social nuances of the depicted moment.
History & Provenance
Created in 1840, 'Poids et mesures' is characteristic of Daumier's satirical approach to portraying Parisian social classes, though specific provenance details are not provided here.
Context
This work reflects Daumier's broader practice of using lithography to comment on contemporary Parisian society, often highlighting class differences through nuanced, everyday scenes.
Legacy
'Poids et mesures' contributes to Daumier's legacy as a keen observer of 19th-century social dynamics, with its understated yet potent commentary influencing subsequent artistic explorations of class and interaction.
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.
![Oui, madame Chaboulard... vingt-quatre épiciers... [recto], by Honoré Daumier](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/honore-daumier--oui-madame-chaboulard-vingt-quatre-epiciers-recto--e54ef32ef25a1625-w320.webp)
