Who painted Le Fantome?

Le Fantome was painted by Honoré Daumier in 1835.

Where can I see Le Fantome?

Le Fantome is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Le Fantome?

Le Fantome is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Le Fantome

Honoré Daumier , 1835

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.

Artist & collection

Artist

Honoré Daumier

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.