Who painted Quand on est possesseur de cent actions...?

Quand on est possesseur de cent actions... was painted by Honoré Daumier in 1840.

Where can I see Quand on est possesseur de cent actions...?

Quand on est possesseur de cent actions... is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Quand on est possesseur de cent actions...?

Quand on est possesseur de cent actions... is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Quand on est possesseur de cent actions...

Honoré Daumier , 1840

Quand on est possesseur de cent actions... 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. Created in 1840, *Quand on est possesseur de cent actions.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1840, *Quand on est possesseur de cent actions...* is a lithographic print on newsprint by French artist Honoré Daumier. The work exemplifies his reputation for biting social commentary, employing a loose, sketch‑like approach that captures a moment of satire aimed at the affluent classes of his time.

Subject & Meaning

The image depicts a man perched precariously in a twisted tree, legs swinging as if on a playground. He clutches a rope attached to a small, bird‑like object, while a smug expression suggests a tongue‑in‑cheek observation: wealth enables one to escape ordinary constraints, a visual joke on the privileged.

Technique & Style

Daumier employed lithography, a printmaking process that allowed rapid production on inexpensive newsprint. The line work is spontaneous, with exaggerated, cartoonish forms and minimal shading, conveying immediacy and humor. This economical medium suited his prolific output for satirical newspapers.

History & Provenance

The print emerged during Daumier’s prolific period of contributing caricatures to periodicals such as *La Caricature* and *Le Charivari*. Though originally circulated as a newspaper illustration, the work has been preserved in museum collections, reflecting its role in 19th‑century French visual culture.

Context

In the early 1840s France, political and social tensions were high, and Daumier’s work frequently targeted the monarchy, aristocracy, and clergy. This piece aligns with his broader critique of class privilege, using humor to expose the absurdities of wealth and power.

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.