Artwork
Pour s'habiteur a attendre le lion ...
Pour s'habiteur a attendre le lion ... is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1857 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Honoré Daumier’s lithograph titled “Pour s'habiteur à attendre le lion” presents a staged encounter between a formally dressed gentleman—complete with top hat and monocle—and a lion positioned on a wheeled platform. The composition balances meticulous detail with a deliberately absurd scenario, inviting viewers to contemplate the juxtaposition of civility and wildness.
Subject & Meaning
The print captures a moment of theatrical confrontation: the gentleman appears poised yet exaggeratedly expressive, while the lion, rendered with realistic fur shading, stands as a symbol of untamed power. Daumier’s choice of such a ludicrous tableau underscores his interest in the quirks of human behavior when faced with the extraordinary.
Technique & Style
Executed in lithography, Daumier drew directly onto a stone surface, allowing for fine gradations of tone and crisp line work. The medium’s capacity for subtle shading is evident in the lion’s fur, while the bold outlines emphasize the caricatured facial expressions, reflecting Daumier’s skill in merging realism with satirical exaggeration.
History & Provenance
Created during Daumier’s prolific period of printmaking, the work exemplifies his engagement with social commentary through graphic media. While specific exhibition records are limited, the lithograph has circulated among collectors of 19th‑century French prints, contributing to Daumier’s reputation as a keen observer of contemporary life.
Context
In the mid‑1800s, lithography became a popular vehicle for artists to disseminate images to a broader public. Daumier, known for his political cartoons and genre scenes, employed this medium to explore everyday absurdities, situating this piece within a larger body of work that critiques societal norms through humor and detail.
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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.
