Who painted Scène d'Hippophagie?

Scène d'Hippophagie was painted by Honoré Daumier in 1857.

Where can I see Scène d'Hippophagie?

Scène d'Hippophagie is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Scène d'Hippophagie?

Scène d'Hippophagie is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Scène d'Hippophagie

Honoré Daumier , 1857

Scène d'Hippophagie 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 1857 lithograph titled *Scène d’Hippophagie* captures a modest interior meal. A seated man studies his plate while a standing woman offers another, and a dog stretches toward a bone. A painted zebra on the wall adds an unexpected decorative touch, underscoring the work’s focus on ordinary domestic moments.

Subject & Meaning

The composition presents a quiet, everyday interaction between the two figures, suggesting a shared routine or modest hospitality. The dog’s eager reach and the quirky zebra motif hint at subtle humor and the layered personalities within a seemingly simple setting, reflecting Daumée’s interest in the nuances of daily life.

Technique & Style

Executed as a lithograph, the piece relies on bold line work and tonal contrasts typical of mid‑nineteenth‑century printmaking. Daumier’s handling of texture— from the sheen of the plate to the fur of the dog—creates depth within the flat medium, while the composition balances figure placement with decorative background elements.

Context

Created during a period when Daumier was exploring genre scenes beyond his well‑known caricatures, the work aligns with contemporary French interest in depicting the middle‑class domestic sphere. The inclusion of an exotic animal motif reflects the era’s fascination with travel and the incorporation of foreign imagery into everyday interiors.

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.