Who painted Se réjouissant... de la fin de la Canicule?

Se réjouissant... de la fin de la Canicule was painted by Honoré Daumier in 1852.

Where can I see Se réjouissant... de la fin de la Canicule?

Se réjouissant... de la fin de la Canicule is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Se réjouissant... de la fin de la Canicule?

Se réjouissant... de la fin de la Canicule is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Se réjouissant... de la fin de la Canicule

Honoré Daumier , 1852

Se réjouissant... de la fin de la Canicule is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1852 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Honoré Daumier’s 1852 lithograph titled *Se réjouissant… de la fin de la Canicule* portrays a brief moment of relief after an oppressive heat spell. The composition centers on a man and a woman, both dressed in typical mid‑nineteenth‑century clothing, with a small dog nestled between them, their expressions suggesting light‑hearted celebration.

Subject & Meaning

The work captures an everyday scene of urban dwellers rejoicing as the sweltering weather abates. While the immediate subject is a simple, joyful encounter, Daumier’s choice of a public, relatable moment aligns with his broader interest in the lived experiences of ordinary people during periods of social strain.

Technique & Style

Executed in lithography, the print relies on bold, fluid lines and a limited tonal range to convey movement and atmosphere. Daumier’s characteristic satirical edge is softened here, yet the crisp rendering of clothing, the dog’s posture, and the architectural backdrop reveal his mastery of the medium’s capacity for rapid, expressive detail.

History & Provenance

Created in 1852, the lithograph emerged during Daumier’s prolific period of contributing to satirical journals such as *La Caricature* and *Le Charivari*. Though primarily a print for broader distribution, the piece reflects his ongoing engagement with republican ideas and his habit of documenting contemporary French life through accessible visual media.

Context

Mid‑nineteenth‑century France experienced frequent heatwaves that amplified public discomfort, especially among the working classes. Daumier’s depiction of relief after a heatwave resonates with the social climate of the time, offering a subtle commentary on the everyday hardships and the collective sigh of respite felt across the city.

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.