Artwork
Bertrand, j'adore l'industrie...
Bertrand, j'adore l'industrie... is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1836 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Bertrand, j'adore l'industrie.
About this work
Overview
Bertrand, j'adore l'industrie... (1836) is a lithograph by Honoré Daumier depicting a confrontational encounter between two caricatured figures, embodying the artist's satirical commentary on 19th-century French society and industrialization.
Subject & Meaning
The print portrays a clash between a worker (symbolized by a mallet) and a likely industrialist or bourgeois figure (conveyed through absurd, upscale attire). The scene critiques the exploitative dynamics between labor and capital during France's industrial ascent.
Technique & Style
Daumier's characteristic caricature style is evident in the exaggerated facial expressions and attire. The bold, expressive lines and simplified forms, typical of lithography, enhance the work's immediacy and satirical punch.
Context
Created in 1836, the work reflects the social tensions of France's early industrial era, where the growing gap between workers and industrialists was a pressing issue. Daumier's satire resonated with the broader critique of social inequality.
Legacy
This lithograph exemplifies Daumier's influence on political satire and caricature. Its direct, humorous approach to social commentary anticipates the format of modern political memes, ensuring its relevance across centuries.
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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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