Artwork
Le Fantome

Le Fantome is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1835 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Le Fantôme is a lithograph created by Honoré Daumier in 1835, exemplifying his satirical approach during a prolific period of political caricature production for Parisian journals.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a ghostly figure in a white robe attempting to ring a doorbell at a stone building, eliciting a frightened or surprised response from a face inside. This scene serves as a vehicle for Daumier's sharp social and political commentary, targeting the monarchy, aristocracy, and clergy in post-Revolutionary France.
Technique & Style
Daumier utilized lithography for its capacity to produce mass-circulated, direct visual commentary. The work features a quick, sketchy style, a dark background, and a glowing effect around the ghost's hand, collectively creating an eerie atmosphere.
History & Provenance
Created in 1835 for publication in journals like La Caricature and Le Charivari, Le Fantôme reflects Daumier's republican ideals and his influential role in the satirical press of the era.
Context
This lithograph is situated within the vibrant satirical publishing scene of 19th-century Paris, where artists like Daumier used their work to critique the social and political landscape of France following the Revolution.
Legacy
While specific lasting impacts of Le Fantôme are not detailed, it contributes to Daumier's legacy as a pioneering satirical artist, highlighting the enduring relevance of his political commentary through lithography.
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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…


















