Artwork
Le Rébus illustré (The Illustrated Rebus)
Le Rébus illustré (The Illustrated Rebus) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1845 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Honoré Daumier's 1845 lithograph, Le Rébus illustré, captures a moment of intense engagement between two men absorbed in reading a newspaper together, offering a glimpse into 19th-century daily life and the role of media.
Subject & Meaning
The contrasting facial expressions and absorbed interaction of the two men underscore the significance of media consumption and social interaction in mid-19th-century society, highlighting the importance of shared news and opinion exchange.
Technique & Style
Executed in lithography, the work showcases Daumier's observational skills and his ability to convey nuanced social commentary through the medium's expressive capabilities.
Context
Created in 1845, Le Rébus illustré reflects the growing influence of newspapers in shaping public discourse and the everyday rituals of a burgeoning middle class in France.
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.
