Who painted Les Journaux bienfaisans?

Les Journaux bienfaisans was painted by Honoré Daumier in 1842.

Where can I see Les Journaux bienfaisans?

Les Journaux bienfaisans is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Les Journaux bienfaisans?

Les Journaux bienfaisans is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Les Journaux bienfaisans

Honoré Daumier , 1842

Les Journaux bienfaisans is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1842 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Les Journaux bienfaisans is a hand-colored lithograph created by Honoré Daumier in 1842. Characteristic of his satirical style, the print critiques societal norms through humorous, exaggerated depiction.

Subject & Meaning

The scene portrays three men and a boy in a cluttered room, with the boy holding a cat. The setting, including a 'CAISSE' sign and chaotic surroundings, satirizes the perceived generosity of newspapers, implying subscriptions offer absurd, useless items rather than value.

Technique & Style

Daumier employed hand-colored lithography to create the piece, leveraging the medium's accessibility for public commentary. Exaggerated facial features and a busy composition enhance the satirical, comedic effect.

History & Provenance

Produced during a peak in press illustration's influence on public debate, this work aligns with Daumier's career producing satirical prints for Parisian publications like *La Caricature* and *Le Charivari*, active from the July Revolution onwards.

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.