Artwork
Regardez, mais n'y touchez pas!
Regardez, mais n'y touchez pas! is a print by the Impressionist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1871 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Regardez, mais n'y touchez pas! is a 1871 print by Honoré Daumier, created using the gillotype process on newsprint. It exemplifies Daumier's satirical style, characteristic of his work as a French painter, sculptor, and printmaker.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a determined man in a top hat, holding a flag and leading a crowd. His dark attire and dynamic pose convey a sense of energy and purpose. The image's meaning is likely tied to Daumier's critique of social and political life in 19th-century France.
Technique & Style
The gillotype process on newsprint allowed for mass production, fitting for Daumier's contributions to satirical publications like La Caricature and Le Charivari. The image's indistinct crowd and clear central figure reflect Daumier's visual wit and commentary style.
Context
Daumier's work often targeted the monarchy, aristocracy, and clergy, reflecting his republican democratic stance. Regardez, mais n'y touchez pas! likely engages with these themes, using satire to critique contemporary French society and politics.
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.
