Who painted Former dandies under the Directory?

Former dandies under the Directory was painted by Honoré Daumier in 1847.

Where can I see Former dandies under the Directory?

Former dandies under the Directory is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Former dandies under the Directory?

Former dandies under the Directory is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Former dandies under the Directory

Honoré Daumier , 1847

Former dandies under the Directory is a print by the Romanticist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1847 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Their situation is interesting because it comments on the social changes happening in France.

You see two men standing, looking a bit out of place.
They're dressed in old-fashioned clothes, like they're from a different time.
The men seem to be former aristocrats, now struggling to fit in.

Their situation is interesting because it comments on the social changes happening in France.
The Directory was a period of French history, and these men are trying to adapt.

Check out the work of artist: Honoré Daumier (French, 1808–1879) for more insights.

Overview

This lithograph, titled 'Former dandies under the Directory', is plate 7 from the series 'As You Like It', published in Le Charivari on June 13, 1847. It depicts two men, clad in outdated attire, appearing out of place.

Subject & Meaning

The subject portrays two former aristocrats struggling to adapt to their new social circumstances, serving as commentary on the challenges of post-Directory France's shifting social landscape.

Technique & Style

Executed as a lithograph, the work showcases Honoré Daumier's characteristic use of the medium for social satire, emphasizing the contrast between the men's antiquated appearance and their contemporary environment.

History & Provenance

Published in Le Charivari in 1847, the print is part of Daumier's 'As You Like It' series, with the artist's original context being the French social upheaval following the Directory period (1795-1799).

Context

The Directory period (1795-1799) marked a significant shift in French society. Daumier's work, created nearly five decades later, reflects on the lingering impacts of this era on the aristocracy and social class structure.

Legacy

As part of Daumier's oeuvre, 'Former dandies under the Directory' contributes to the artist's legacy as a keen observer of French societal evolution through the 19th century, particularly in his use of satire to highlight class struggles.

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.