Artwork

Ah! très bien j'en suis sur! malheureuse...

Ah! très bien j'en suis sur! malheureuse..., by Honoré Daumier, ink, 1841
Ah! très bien j'en suis sur! malheureuse..., by Honoré Daumier, ink, 1841

Ah! très bien j'en suis sur! malheureuse... is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1841 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Ah!

About this work

Overview

Ah! très bien j'en suis sur! malheureuse... is a lithograph created by Honoré Daumier in 1841. It is a print that showcases Daumier's satirical style, characteristic of his work for publications that critiqued French society and politics.

Subject & Meaning

The lithograph depicts a person leaning out of a carriage window, shouting towards a dark building through a megaphone. The scene is suggestive of a commentary on the social or political issues of the time, with the person's worried expression adding to the sense of tension or urgency.

Technique & Style

The drawing style is rough and sketch-like, conveying a sense of haste and immediacy. The use of lithography allowed Daumier to produce prints that were both humorous and critical, making his work accessible to a wider audience.

Context

As a republican democrat, Daumier used his art to critique the French monarchy, aristocracy, and clergy. His work was published in journals like La Caricature and Le Charivari, which were known for their satirical commentary on contemporary issues.

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: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.