Artwork

Papa contemplates a likeness of his likeness

Papa contemplates a likeness of his likeness, by Honoré Daumier, 1847
Papa contemplates a likeness of his likeness, by Honoré Daumier, 1847

Papa contemplates a likeness of his likeness 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

You see a man sitting in a chair, looking at a picture of himself.
He's nicely dressed and seems to be thinking deeply.
The man in the picture is likely a bourgeois, a middle-class person, which was a common subject in Daumier's work, often portrayed in a humorous or ironic way.
You can learn more about this style by looking at the work of artist: Honoré Daumier (French, 1808–1879).

Overview

Papa contemplates a likeness of his likeness is a lithographic print from the series The Good Bourgeois, published in Le Charivari on April 14, 1847. It depicts a middle-class man seated in contemplation, gazing at his own portrait.

Subject & Meaning

The subject, likely a bourgeois gentleman, is shown lost in thought while examining his own likeness. This setup may imply introspection or self-perception, common themes in commentary on the middle class.

Technique & Style

Executed in lithography, the print showcases characteristics of Honoré Daumier's style, often marked by humorous or ironic portrayals of the bourgeoisie, though the specific tone here leans towards contemplative observation.

History & Provenance

Published as plate 40 in The Good Bourgeois series within Le Charivari, a French newspaper known for its satirical content, in 1847. Creator attribution is to Honoré Daumier, a prominent French artist of the 19th century.

Context

Part of a broader commentary on 19th-century French middle-class life, the work reflects Daumier's penchant for observing and often satirizing the bourgeoisie, though this piece may suggest a more introspective approach.

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: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.