Who painted Centaur Carrying Off a Woman?

Centaur Carrying Off a Woman was painted by Honoré Daumier in 1844.

Where can I see Centaur Carrying Off a Woman?

Centaur Carrying Off a Woman is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Centaur Carrying Off a Woman?

Centaur Carrying Off a Woman is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of Centaur Carrying Off a Woman?

Museum-quality prints of Centaur Carrying Off a Woman are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Centaur Carrying Off a Woman

Honoré Daumier , 1844

Centaur Carrying Off a Woman is an ink drawing by the Romanticist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1844 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:in later hand, lower left in graphite: 28 x 24 1/2

About this work

Overview

Created in 1844, Centaur Carrying Off a Woman is a drawing by the French artist Honoré Daumier. Executed on laid paper, the work combines pen and black ink with a wash applied over crayon. It belongs to Daumier’s extensive output of drawings that blend narrative illustration with his characteristic observational edge.

Subject & Meaning

The composition presents a mythic episode in which a centaur seizes a female figure, evoking the classic motif of abduction. While the scene is drawn from antiquity, Daumier’s choice of a violent, theatrical moment aligns with his broader interest in exposing human folly and power dynamics, hinting at a satirical reading of contemporary social tensions.

Technique & Style

Daumier employs a fluid pen line to define the muscular form of the centaur and the startled posture of the woman, while a subtle wash over crayon adds tonal depth and atmosphere. The drawing’s brisk, gestural strokes and exaggerated anatomy echo the caricatural style he developed for periodicals such as La Caricature and Le Charivari.

History & Provenance

The work originates from a prolific phase in Daumier’s career when he regularly supplied illustrations to satirical newspapers. Although specific ownership records are sparse, the drawing reflects the artist’s engagement with print media and his reputation as a commentator on French political and social life during the mid‑19th century.

Hagar and the Angel (Agar et l'ange), Jean Baptiste Camille Corot

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Artist & collection

Artist

Honoré Daumier

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…