Artwork

Paris, The Great Art Exhibition: A Moment of Rest in the Salon Carré

Paris, The Great Art Exhibition: A Moment of Rest in the Salon Carré is a print by the Impressionist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1868 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Honoré Daumier’s 1868 print titled *Paris, The Great Art Exhibition: A Moment of Rest in the Salon Carré* portrays a bustling interior space during a major exhibition. The work is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection and offers a snapshot of 19th‑century Parisian society gathered in a formal setting.

Subject & Meaning

The composition shows numerous figures seated on rows of chairs, some standing at the periphery, all dressed in the period’s formal attire—men in top hats, women in long gowns. The quiet demeanor of the crowd suggests a pause for observation or contemplation amid the larger event.

Technique & Style

Daumier employs a restrained palette and careful gradations of light and shadow, creating depth through chiaroscuro. The contrast between illuminated central figures and darker surroundings guides the eye inward, while the print’s line work conveys the density of the crowd without excessive detail.

History & Provenance

Created in 1868, the print reflects Daumier’s interest in contemporary public life. It entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings in the 20th century, where it remains on view as part of the museum’s European prints and drawings collection.

Context

The Salon Carré, a prominent exhibition space in the Louvre, hosted the annual Great Art Exhibition, drawing artists, critics, and patrons. Daumier’s work captures the atmosphere of this cultural moment, aligning with his broader oeuvre that often examined social gatherings and public spectacles.

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.