Artwork
Un Monsieur qu'on rajeunit trop
Un Monsieur qu'on rajeunit trop is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1845 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Un Monsieur qu'on rajeunit trop is a lithograph created by Honoré Daumier in 1845, exemplifying his satirical style as a prominent caricaturist for Parisian journals.
Subject & Meaning
The print satirically portrays an older man attempting to regain youth through grooming, with a woman (possibly a barber or stylist) cutting his hair to create a youthful appearance, as reflected in a mirror. The scene critiques the folly of attempting to defy aging.
Technique & Style
Executed in lithograph, a medium conducive to mass production and satire, the work features exaggerated facial features and postures, characteristic of Daumier's caricature technique, amplifying the comedic and critical intent.
History & Provenance
Produced amidst the political and social tumult following the 1830 Revolution and preceding the Second French Empire, this lithograph was part of Daumier's contributions to journals like *La Caricature* and *Le Charivari*, outlets for his social commentary.
Context
While often associated with broader 19th-century European art movements, Daumier's work, including this piece, is more closely aligned with the satirical and realistic traditions of his time rather than the emotional intensity of the Romantic movement.
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.
