Who painted C'est dangereux, la pêche à l'épervier?

C'est dangereux, la pêche à l'épervier was painted by Honoré Daumier in 1871.

Where can I see C'est dangereux, la pêche à l'épervier?

C'est dangereux, la pêche à l'épervier is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is C'est dangereux, la pêche à l'épervier?

C'est dangereux, la pêche à l'épervier is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

C'est dangereux, la pêche à l'épervier

Honoré Daumier , 1871

C'est dangereux, la pêche à l'épervier is a print by the Impressionist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1871 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

C'est dangereux, la pêche à l'épervier is a 1871 gillotype print on newsprint by Honoré Daumier, exemplifying his use of printmaking to critique French society during a period of significant political change.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a giant fish engulfing a small boat labeled 'Monarchie', with a few figures clinging to it, amidst rough waters. The imagery conveys a political satire, likely critiquing the vulnerability or demise of the French monarchy through the perilous act of 'fishing with the swordfish'.

Technique & Style

Executed in simple black lines on a light background, the work reflects Daumier's characteristic caricature style, honed through his contributions to publications like La Caricature and Le Charivari.

History & Provenance

Created in 1871, this piece aligns with Daumier's later output, marked by continued political engagement following the fall of the Second Empire in 1870. Specific provenance details are not provided.

Context

Part of Daumier's broader corpus critiquing French social and political institutions from the 1830 Revolution onwards, this work specifically addresses the late 19th-century political landscape, voicing a republican democrat's perspective.

Legacy

As with much of Daumier's satirical work, C'est dangereux, la pêche à l'épervier contributes to his legacy as a prolific commentator on French political life, influencing future generations of artists engaging with social critique.

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.