Artwork
Ah! Théophile ... j'en apprends de belles ...
Ah! Théophile ... j'en apprends de belles ... is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1860 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Ah!
About this work
Daumier’s 1860 lithograph shows a man leaning over a seated woman.
Daumier’s 1860 lithograph shows a man leaning over a seated woman. Their faces twist in surprise. The room around them is just hints: a table edge, a shadowed wall.
Daumier made over 4,000 lithographs. This one pokes fun at middle-class gossip. The title translates to “Oh! Théophile... I’m learning some things...” hinting at a scandalous secret.
See how Daumier twists faces for comedy. It’s like a quick sketch you’d find in today’s cartoon pages.
Door: lithography
Overview
Ah! Théophile... j'en apprends de belles... is a lithograph by Honoré Daumier, dated to 1860, capturing a dynamic interaction between two figures in a domestic setting.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a seated woman and a leaning man, their contorted faces conveying surprise. The title suggests the revelation of a scandalous secret, implying the work satirizes middle-class gossip.
Technique & Style
Characteristic of Daumier's lithographic approach, the scene features expressive, caricatured facial expressions and sparse, suggestive environmental details, such as a table edge and shadowed wall.
History & Provenance
Created in 1860, this lithograph is one of over 4,000 produced by Daumier during his career. Specific provenance details for this work are not provided.
Context
The lithograph reflects Daumier's penchant for social commentary, using humor and caricature to critique the bourgeoisie, a common theme in his extensive body of work.
Legacy
The work's use of exaggerated facial expressions for comedic effect and its concise, sketch-like quality anticipate modern cartooning techniques.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Honoré-Victorin Daumier (French: ; 26 February 1808 – 10 or 11 February 1879) was a French painter, sculptor, and printmaker, whose many works offer commentary on the social and political life in France, from the…
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