Artwork
Bigre! ... j'ai eu tort de me mettre ...
Bigre! ... j'ai eu tort de me mettre ... is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1854 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Bigre!
About this work
Overview
Bigre!... j'ai eu tort de me mettre... is a lithograph by Honoré Daumier featuring a figure comically struggling to support a large globe labeled with "Europe" and "Asie".
Subject & Meaning
The subject is a figure overwhelmed by a globe, symbolizing the challenges of global or geopolitical burdens. Daumier employs humor to convey a satirical point, typical of his politically charged works.
Technique & Style
Exaggerated facial features and dynamic motion lines characterize the piece, enhancing the comedic effect. The bold, large-lettered continental labels on the globe amplify the visual humor and emphasis.
Context
Created during a period of heightened political awareness in 19th-century France, the lithograph reflects Daumier's use of satire to comment on contemporary issues, with the globe possibly alluding to European geopolitical tensions or colonial expansions.
Legacy
This work exemplifies Daumier's influence in political satire through lithography, contributing to the medium's popularity for social commentary in the 19th century.
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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