Who painted Le Coup de canon du Palais-Royal?

Le Coup de canon du Palais-Royal was painted by Honoré Daumier in 1846.

Where can I see Le Coup de canon du Palais-Royal?

Le Coup de canon du Palais-Royal is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Le Coup de canon du Palais-Royal?

Le Coup de canon du Palais-Royal is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of Le Coup de canon du Palais-Royal?

Museum-quality prints of Le Coup de canon du Palais-Royal are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Le Coup de canon du Palais-Royal

Honoré Daumier , 1846

Le Coup de canon du Palais-Royal is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1846 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Honoré Daumier’s 1846 lithograph Le Coup de canon du Palais‑Royal captures a bustling urban tableau on a bridge near the Palais‑Royal. A group of men in dark coats gathers around a central figure who clutches a large object, while a columned building and a prominent tree loom in the background, suggesting depth and a public setting.

Subject & Meaning

The composition portrays a moment of upheaval, likely referencing a cannon discharge that historically signaled protest or state force at the Palais‑Royal, a known locus of political demonstration in mid‑19th‑century France. By foregrounding the crowd’s reaction, Daumier underscores the tension between authority and popular unrest.

Technique & Style

Executed in lithography, the print exploits the medium’s capacity for fine line work and tonal variation, rendering textures on clothing, stone, and foliage. Daumier’s characteristic satirical edge emerges through exaggerated postures and the stark contrast between the central figure and surrounding figures.

History & Provenance

Created during Daumier’s prolific period contributing to oppositional journals such as La Caricature and Le Charivari, the work reflects his engagement with political satire under the July Monarchy. The print was circulated among the period’s reformist readership, reinforcing Daumier’s reputation as a visual commentator on contemporary events.

Un Défenseur... causant... dans son cabinet habituel, Honoré Daumier

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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…