Artwork
Quelle société abatarde et corrompue ...
Quelle société abatarde et corrompue ... is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1865 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
This lithograph by Honoré Daumier captures a scene of art patrons intensely engaged with exhibited works in a 19th-century gallery setting.
Subject & Meaning
The depicted group embodies the scrutinizing atmosphere of contemporary art salons, where societal tastes were openly debated and critiqued.
Technique & Style
Executed in black and white, the lithograph employs exaggerated facial features and expressive body language to convey the strong emotions and reactions of the viewers.
Context
Reflecting Daumier's penchant for social commentary, the work critiques the artistic and social elite of his time, highlighting the dramatic expressions of patrons as they navigate and negotiate artistic preferences.
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.
