Artwork
Je crois que j'ai entendu chanter un hibou...
Je crois que j'ai entendu chanter un hibou... is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1847 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Je crois que j'ai entendu chanter un hibou.
About this work
Overview
Je crois que j'ai entendu chanter un hibou... is a 1847 lithograph by Honoré Daumier, a French artist known for his work in multiple mediums.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a man in a long coat and hat leaning against a dark wall, appearing tired. A rough bed is visible behind him, with a lump under the blanket suggesting a person either sleeping or lying there. The image is a satirical commentary on the social and political climate of mid-19th-century France.
Technique & Style
Daumier employed quick, sketchy lines to convey movement and mood, a style characteristic of expressive drawings from the 1800s. The lithograph was created using a printmaking process that allowed for mass production while maintaining the expressive qualities of the original drawing.
Context
Daumier was a prolific contributor to satirical publications such as La Caricature and Le Charivari, often targeting the monarchy, aristocracy, and clergy in his work. His republican democratic views are reflected in the use of humor and exaggeration to critique the power structures of his time.
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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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