Artwork
La danseur qui se pique d'avoir conservé ...
La danseur qui se pique d'avoir conservé ... is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1857 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
La danseur qui se pique d'avoir conservé is a lithograph created by Honoré Daumier in 1857, depicting a pivotal moment in a ballet performance.
Subject & Meaning
The print focuses on a ballerina in mid-leap, emphasizing dynamic movement and weightlessness, with surrounding blurred figures and orchestra hinting at the energetic stage atmosphere.
Technique & Style
Executed in shades of gray, the lithograph leverages the medium's capabilities, allowing Daumier to draw directly on stone and achieve smooth, expressive lines that convey motion and vitality.
History & Provenance
Daumier's firsthand experience with the Parisian stage, including living above a dance hall, likely influenced his portrayal of the ballet's dynamic energy.
Context
Created in 1857, the work reflects Daumier's observation of contemporary Parisian ballet, capturing the essence of a live performance through his unique lithographic approach.
Legacy
While specific legacy details of this piece are not provided, Daumier's innovative use of lithography to capture movement and atmosphere would have contributed to the evolution of printmaking in depicting dynamic scenes.
Artist & collection
Artist
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.
