Who painted Recipe to Cure Colic?

Recipe to Cure Colic was painted by Honoré Daumier in 1838.

Where can I see Recipe to Cure Colic?

Recipe to Cure Colic is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Recipe to Cure Colic?

Recipe to Cure Colic is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Recipe to Cure Colic

Honoré Daumier , 1838

Recipe to Cure Colic is a print by the Romanticist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1838 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This 1838 print, titled 'Recipe to Cure Colic', is plate 72 from the 'Caricaturana' series, published in the Parisian newspaper Le Charivari on January 14, 1838.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a stout, serious-faced doctor attempting to administer a remedy to a screaming infant using a gigantic spoon, with a tiny label identifying the 'recipe for colic'. The scene satirizes ineffective medical practices.

Technique & Style

Characterized by Daumier's distinctive caricatural approach, the print employs exaggerated physicality (notably the doctor's stature and the spoon's size) and expressive facial expressions to convey comedic critique.

History & Provenance

Created by Honoré Daumier for serial publication in Le Charivari, this work is part of his satirical output targeting various aspects of 19th-century French society, including the medical profession.

Context

Daumier frequently portrayed doctors as figures of ridicule, reflecting his role as a social commentator through art. This piece aligns with his broader commentary on French life in the 1800s.

Legacy

'Recipe to Cure Colic' contributes to Daumier's legacy as a sharp satirist, offering insight into 19th-century perceptions of medicine and the enduring appeal of his humorous, critical eye.

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.