Artwork
Hannibal's Crossing
Hannibal's Crossing is a print by the Romanticist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1842 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Hannibal's Crossing is a print published in Le Charivari on October 6, 1842, as part of the series Ancient History. The work depicts Hannibal's river crossing with elephants, characterized by dynamic movement.
Subject & Meaning
While the print illustrates a historical event from antiquity, its 19th-century context suggests it was created to allegorically comment on contemporary French political or social issues.
Technique & Style
The print showcases energetic composition and expressive linework, hallmarks of its creator's style. For deeper insight into the artistic approach, the broader oeuvre of Honoré Daumier, the print's artist, provides valuable context.
History & Provenance
Published as plate 28 in Ancient History, the print's initial distribution was through Le Charivari. Specific details on its subsequent ownership or exhibition history are not provided.
Context
The inclusion in a series titled Ancient History, despite its contemporary commentary intent, highlights a common 19th-century practice of using historical themes to address current affairs discreetly.
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.
