Who painted Un monsieur qui voulu étudier ... les moeurs ... des abeilles?

Un monsieur qui voulu étudier ... les moeurs ... des abeilles was painted by Honoré Daumier in 1845.

Where can I see Un monsieur qui voulu étudier ... les moeurs ... des abeilles?

Un monsieur qui voulu étudier ... les moeurs ... des abeilles is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Un monsieur qui voulu étudier ... les moeurs ... des abeilles?

Un monsieur qui voulu étudier ... les moeurs ... des abeilles is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Un monsieur qui voulu étudier ... les moeurs ... des abeilles

Honoré Daumier , 1845

Un monsieur qui voulu étudier ... les moeurs ... des abeilles 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

Honoré Daumier's 1845 lithograph depicts a frantic figure fleeing with head down and face covered, set against a backdrop of simplified trees and a prominent straw-covered beehive.

Subject & Meaning

The subject, a man in urgent flight, contrasts with the static, natural elements, symbolizing the fraught relationship between human curiosity and the complexities of nature, hinting at societal commentary on the folly of fearing the unknown.

Technique & Style

Executed in lithography, the work features characteristic simplicity and expressiveness, with bold lines and minimal detail, emphasizing the emotional state of the subject and the symbolic presence of the beehive.

History & Provenance

Created in 1845, the lithograph is a product of Daumier's prolific output during this period, reflecting his ongoing critique of societal behaviors through satirical and symbolic imagery.

Context

Part of a broader body of work where Daumier used everyday and natural motifs to comment on human nature, this piece situates his practice within 19th-century French social satire.

Legacy

While specific legacy details of this work are not highlighted, it contributes to Daumier's reputation as a master of lithographic satire, influencing future generations of artists in using printmaking for social commentary.

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.