Who painted Tiens... notre jardin... produit des perdreaux!...?

Tiens... notre jardin... produit des perdreaux!... was painted by Honoré Daumier in 1857.

Where can I see Tiens... notre jardin... produit des perdreaux!...?

Tiens... notre jardin... produit des perdreaux!... is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Tiens... notre jardin... produit des perdreaux!...?

Tiens... notre jardin... produit des perdreaux!... is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Tiens... notre jardin... produit des perdreaux!...

Honoré Daumier , 1857

Tiens... notre jardin... produit des perdreaux!... 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 *Tiens… notre jardin… produit des perdreaux!* presents a satirical scene of a couple navigating a tangled garden. The print, executed in the lithographic technique, captures a moment of domestic hardship through a blend of humor and social observation, typical of Daumier’s prolific output as a caricaturist.

Subject & Meaning

The composition features a weary man in a threadbare hat and coat, his gaze directed downward, accompanied by a woman holding a modest birdcage. Their surroundings—a garden overrun with unruly foliage and scattered tools—serve as a visual metaphor for economic strain, underscored by the caption that jokes about the garden “producing partridges,” a sarcastic comment on their poverty.

Technique & Style

Created by lithography, the work showcases Daumier’s skill in rendering expressive line work and tonal contrast. The medium allowed for rapid production and wide distribution, enabling the artist to convey exaggerated facial expressions and detailed background elements that reinforce the satirical tone.

History & Provenance

Daumier produced this print for the popular satirical newspapers of his time, such as *La Caricature* and *Le Charivari*. These publications provided a platform for his republican critiques of French society, targeting the monarchy, aristocracy, and clergy through accessible graphic commentary.

Context

Mid‑19th‑century France experienced social upheaval and class tension, themes that Daumier routinely explored. By depicting ordinary people struggling in a chaotic domestic space, the lithograph reflects broader concerns about poverty and the uneven distribution of wealth during the era.

Legacy

The print exemplifies Daumier’s enduring influence on political cartooning and social satire. Its blend of humor, detailed observation, and critical edge continues to inform studies of visual commentary and the role of print media in shaping public opinion.

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.