Who painted Le Bétophile?

Le Bétophile was painted by Honoré Daumier in 1840.

Where can I see Le Bétophile?

Le Bétophile is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Le Bétophile?

Le Bétophile is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of Le Bétophile?

Museum-quality prints of Le Bétophile are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Le Bétophile

Honoré Daumier , 1840

Le Bétophile is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1840 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1840, Le Bétophile is a lithographic print on newsprint by the French artist Honoré Daumier. The image depicts a woman clutching a small birdcage, her exaggerated facial features, large nose and broad grin, highlighted against a patterned dress and headscarf. The work is captioned with the title and the term Monomanes, suggesting a focus on obsessive behavior.

Subject & Meaning

The figure is identified as a "bétophile," a lover of birds, and the composition satirizes a compulsive fascination with avian pets. By presenting the woman with an over‑large smile and caricatured nose, Daumier underscores the absurdity of such single‑minded devotion, aligning the image with his broader critique of social quirks.

Technique & Style

Executed as a lithograph, the print employs the direct drawing of a stone surface, allowing Daumier to render fine line work in the cage’s wires and the intricate pattern of the dress. The use of newsprint as support gives the piece a rough, immediate quality typical of his rapid, newspaper‑based production.

History & Provenance

Daumier produced the image while working for satirical journals such as La Caricature and Le Charivari, outlets through which he regularly commented on contemporary politics and society. The print reflects his activity during the volatile years following the 1830 Revolution, a period marked by intense political debate in France.

Context

The title Monomanes indicates that the work may belong to a series exploring obsessive tendencies, a common theme in Daumier’s oeuvre. By targeting a seemingly innocuous pastime, bird‑keeping, he extends his social commentary beyond overt political targets to the everyday eccentricities of the French public.

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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…