Artwork
Soyez donc pas dégouté comme ca ...
Soyez donc pas dégouté comme ca ... is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1864 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Honoré Daumée’s lithograph titled “Soyez donc pas dégouté comme ça…” presents a bustling scene of wine production.
About this work
Overview
Honoré Daumée’s lithograph titled “Soyez donc pas dégouté comme ça…” presents a bustling scene of wine production. The composition centers on three male figures engaged with a vat of grapes: two are energetically stomping the fruit, while a third onlooker watches from the side. The work captures a moment of communal labor infused with a light‑hearted tone.
Subject & Meaning
The image portrays a rustic wine‑making activity, emphasizing the physicality and camaraderie of the participants. The exaggerated gestures and facial expressions—one figure even protruding his tongue—suggest a humorous take on the toil, inviting viewers to consider both the labor involved and the jovial spirit that can accompany such collective work.
Technique & Style
Executed in lithography, Daumée exploits the medium’s capacity for swift, gestural lines to convey motion. Bold contours and simplified forms dominate the scene, while the contrast of dark ink against lighter areas accentuates the spray of grape juice. This graphic approach, bordering on caricature, reinforces the work’s lively and satirical character.
Context
Created during Daumée’s prolific period of social commentary, the print aligns with his broader interest in everyday French life. While not directly tied to a specific event, the depiction of wine‑making reflects common rural practices of the mid‑19th century, offering insight into contemporary customs and the artist’s observational humor.
Legacy
The lithograph remains a representative example of Daumée’s ability to blend social observation with comic exaggeration. Its dynamic composition and accessible subject have secured its place in collections that explore the intersection of fine art and popular print culture, illustrating the enduring relevance of his visual satire.
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.
