Artwork

Venant de donner le dernier coup de pinceau ...

Venant de donner le dernier coup de pinceau ..., by Honoré Daumier, ink, 1855
Venant de donner le dernier coup de pinceau ..., by Honoré Daumier, ink, 1855

Venant de donner le dernier coup de pinceau ... is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1855 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Venant de donner le dernier coup de pinceau is a lithograph created by Honoré Daumier in 1855, portraying a painter at work in a studio or gallery setting, surrounded by framed artworks.

Subject & Meaning

The subject, standing on a ladder with brush in hand, embodies the culmination of the artistic process. The work may also subtly critique the artistic endeavor, characteristic of Daumier's satirical approach to everyday life.

Technique & Style

Executed in lithography, a technique allowing for nuanced, expressive lines, the work showcases Daumier's adept use of this medium to convey the intimacy and intensity of the creative moment.

History & Provenance

Created in 1855 by Honoré Daumier, specific provenance details are not provided, though its creation aligns with Daumier's prolific output of socially conscious and often satirical works during this period.

Context

Within the context of 19th-century French art, this lithograph reflects the era's fascination with the artist's role and the creative process, while also hinting at Daumier's broader commentary on contemporary society.

Legacy

As part of Daumier's oeuvre, Venant de donner... contributes to the artist's legacy of blending social commentary with intimate portrayals of daily life, influencing subsequent generations of artists in their depiction of the artistic and social realms.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Honoré Daumier

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.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.