Who painted Adoremus!?

Adoremus! was painted by Honoré Daumier in 1869.

Where can I see Adoremus!?

Adoremus! is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Adoremus!?

Adoremus! is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Adoremus!

Honoré Daumier , 1869

Adoremus! is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1869 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1869, *Adoremus!* is a lithographic print by French artist Honoré Daumier. The work depicts a chaotic interior of a church where a group of figures gather around a prominent box labeled “Urne Electorale.” The composition combines satirical observation with Daumier’s characteristic social commentary.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure, arms uplifted, appears to exhort reverence toward the electoral urn, while surrounding individuals kneel, slump, or hide their faces, suggesting a critique of the conflation of religious fervor with political voting rituals. The Latin title, meaning “Let us adore,” underscores the ironic worship of civic institutions.

Technique & Style

Executed in lithography, Daumier employs bold, uneven lines and stark chiaroscuro to convey a sense of disorder. The rough drawing quality and deep shadows enhance the satirical tone, emphasizing the absurdity of the scene rather than striving for precise realism.

History & Provenance

Daumier, best known for his caricatures in periodicals such as *La Caricature* and *Le Charivari*, produced this print during a period of intense republican sentiment in France. The work reflects his engagement with contemporary political debates following the upheavals of the 1860s.

Context

The image emerges from a time when France grappled with the tension between monarchical traditions and emerging democratic ideals. By placing a sacred setting alongside an electoral urn, Daumier comments on the politicization of public life and the quasi‑religious devotion to the ballot.

Legacy

*Adoremus!* exemplifies Daumier’s use of print media to disseminate political satire to a broad audience. The lithograph remains a notable illustration of 19th‑century French republican critique, illustrating how visual art could intersect with and influence public discourse.

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.