Artwork
Man Carrying a Sack
Man Carrying a Sack is a charcoal drawing by the Romanticist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1844 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1844, this charcoal drawing on laid paper portrays a solitary figure bent over a heavy sack.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:in later hand, lower right verso in graphite: KK 1045
About this work
Overview
Created in 1844, this charcoal drawing on laid paper portrays a solitary figure bent over a heavy sack. The composition is stark, with the man's posture and the dense shading emphasizing the physical effort required. The work is attributed to the French artist Honoré Daumier, whose oeuvre frequently addressed the conditions of ordinary people.
Subject & Meaning
The figure, shown from behind with a lowered head, suggests concentration and fatigue as he bears a burdensome load. While the scene lacks specific narrative details, it aligns with Daumier’s interest in depicting laborers and the everyday struggles of the lower classes, reflecting a sympathetic view of the working populace during a turbulent political era.
Technique & Style
Executed in charcoal, the drawing relies on a network of lines and tonal variations to model form and convey depth. The use of laid paper provides a subtle texture that interacts with the charcoal’s matte quality. Daumier’s handling is vigorous yet controlled, employing cross‑hatching and smudging to render the weight of the sack and the figure’s muscular tension.
History & Provenance
Its provenance traces back to private collections before entering a museum holding a representative selection of his 19th‑century drawings.
The piece originates from Daumier’s early period, when he was establishing his reputation as a caricaturist for satirical journals such as La Caricature and Le Charivari. Although not a published illustration, the drawing exemplifies his parallel practice of free‑hand studies. Its provenance traces back to private collections before entering a museum holding a representative selection of his 19th‑century drawings.
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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…
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