Artwork
Ces pauvres animaux... n'se reconnaissent... plus...
Ces pauvres animaux... n'se reconnaissent... plus... is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1852 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Ces pauvres animaux.
About this work
Overview
Ces pauvres animaux... n'se reconnaissent... plus... is a lithograph created by Honoré Daumier in 1852. Characteristic of his satirical approach, the work critiques aspects of 19th-century French society through a depiction of a bustling street scene.
Subject & Meaning
The lithograph portrays five individuals, dressed in outdated attire, appearing tired or preoccupied, alongside four dogs with exaggerated, melancholic expressions. The scene conveys a sense of societal disconnection, as suggested by the caption implying that even animals fail to recognize one another, reflecting Daumier's commentary on the alienation within urban, monarchic society.
Technique & Style
Executed in lithography, a medium Daumier frequently used for his caricatures, the piece showcases his ability to convey social critique through simple yet expressive lines and exaggerated facial expressions, particularly evident in the dogs.
History & Provenance
Created during Daumier's active period as a caricaturist for La Caricature and Le Charivari, this work aligns with his republican democratic views, critiquing the social ills of the time. Specific provenance details are not provided.
Context
Produced in 1852, the lithograph is set against the backdrop of the Second French Empire's rise, a period of significant social change and political tension in France, which Daumier's work continually addressed.
Legacy
As part of Daumier's extensive body of satirical works, Ces pauvres animaux... contributes to his enduring legacy as a keen observer and critic of 19th-century French society, influencing subsequent generations of artists and caricaturists.
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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…
- Précaution indispensable que prennent les Parisiens ...
La bourse ou le knout!
B'en parlez pas j'suis enrubé du cerbeaux...
Ou l'on reconnait ... un ancien pharmacien
Ah! Ma chère, quand on a un chien ...
Mr et Mme Prudohomme revenant de la foire ...
Mr Prudhomme...ce n'est pas moi qui me ferai ...
Monsieur le concierge, allant en soirée
L'ennemi des chiens ayant eu l'imprudence ...
Vous voila maintenant passe citoyen
La personne ... demande a monter tout de suite ...
Je te le dis toujours, avec ton sucre...