Artwork
M.L.P.F. Esquirou de Parieu
M.L.P.F. Esquirou de Parieu is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1850, M.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1850, M.L.P.F. Esquirou de Parieu is a lithographic print by the French artist Honoré Daumier. Executed during a prolific period of his career, the work exemplifies Daumier’s engagement with contemporary political commentary, employing the immediacy of print to reach a broad audience.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts a solemn figure in a dark suit standing on a raised platform, clutching a document and addressing an indistinct crowd below. The composition underscores a hierarchical relationship, suggesting a public address or proclamation, while the blurred faces of the listeners convey anonymity and the collective nature of the audience.
Technique & Style
Daumier rendered the scene with rapid, sketch‑like lines that convey motion and urgency, a hallmark of mid‑nineteenth‑century political caricature. The lithographic process allowed for bold contrasts and swift reproduction, enabling the artist to emphasize the speaker’s facial expression and posture while keeping background details minimal.
Context
At the time of its production, Daumier was contributing regularly to satirical journals such as La Caricature and Le Charivari. The print reflects his republican sympathies, targeting the institutions of the July Monarchy and the early Second Republic, and aligns with his broader critique of aristocratic and clerical authority.
History & Provenance
The lithograph was issued as part of Daumier’s series of political prints circulated through the French press. Original copies were distributed to readers of the periodicals, and later entered private collections before being acquired by museums documenting nineteenth‑century French graphic art.
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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…
