Artwork
Un Diner maigre
Un Diner maigre is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1844 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Un Dîner maigre is a 1844 lithograph by Honoré Daumier, a French artist renowned for his multifaceted practice in painting, sculpture, and printmaking, particularly for satirical publications.
Subject & Meaning
The print critiques class disparity through a subtle yet incisive depiction of two older men engaged in a sparse, yet intensely focused, interaction over a document, reflecting Daumier's republican democratic stance amidst France's political turmoil.
Technique & Style
Characterized by quick, sketchy lines, the lithograph conveys a sense of liveliness and immediacy, capturing the subjects' expressions and gestures with expressive economy.
History & Provenance
Created during a period of political upheaval in France, the work was likely produced for a satirical publication, aligning with Daumier's regular contributions to outlets like La Caricature and Le Charivari.
Context
Un Dîner maigre sits within Daumier's broader oeuvre of socially conscious works targeting the excesses of the monarchy, aristocracy, and clergy, underscoring his commitment to social commentary.
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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.
Les Politiques de café
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Eh bien Malin! comment le trouvez vous celui-la!
Un banquet de barbistes
Argument irrésistible
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Au Café d'Aguesseau
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Actionnaires de mines...
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Un Début a la chasse