Artwork
Un ours contrarié
Un ours contrarié is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1854 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Un ours contrarié is a lithograph created by Honoré Daumier in 1854. The print depicts a bear restrained by a rope, conveying a symbolic message.
Subject & Meaning
The bear, labeled 'RUSSIE' and wearing a crown, is tied to a post. A figure representing 'EUROPE' is shown pulling the bear, illustrating the political tensions between Russia and Europe during this period.
Technique & Style
The lithograph features bold imagery and text, including the word 'CONSTANTIN' and architectural outlines in the background, which enhance the narrative and add context to the scene.
Context
The work comments on the imperialistic struggles of the time, using the bear as a symbol for Russia and its interactions with Europe.
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.
