Who painted Nouveau divertissement des soirées?

Nouveau divertissement des soirées was painted by Honoré Daumier in 1857.

Where can I see Nouveau divertissement des soirées?

Nouveau divertissement des soirées is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Nouveau divertissement des soirées?

Nouveau divertissement des soirées is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of Nouveau divertissement des soirées?

Museum-quality prints of Nouveau divertissement des soirées are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Nouveau divertissement des soirées

Honoré Daumier , 1857

Nouveau divertissement des soirées is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1857 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Honoré Daumier’s 1857 lithograph Nouveau divertissement des soirées presents a brief, comic tableau of a social encounter. A gentleman in a formal suit is caught off‑guard as a bird alights on his nose, while a lady in an ornate dress reacts with exaggerated surprise. The composition relies on clear, energetic lines that give the scene a lively, light‑hearted tone.

Subject & Meaning

The print captures a moment of playful disruption within a genteel setting, using the absurdity of a bird perched on a man's face to comment on the frivolity of social rituals. The woman’s dramatic response amplifies the humor, suggesting a critique of pretentious manners and the ease with which they can be unsettled.

Technique & Style

Executed in lithography, Daumier employs bold, confident strokes and varied shading to delineate figures and convey movement. The contrast between the crisp outlines of the clothing and the softer tonal gradations around the bird creates depth, while the overall graphic quality underscores the satirical intent of the work.

History & Provenance

Created in 1857, the lithograph reflects Daumier’s prolific output of socially charged prints during the mid‑nineteenth century. It was produced as part of his series of caricatures that circulated in Parisian print markets, reaching a broad audience and cementing his reputation as a keen observer of contemporary life.

Jeunes gens de cinquante a soixante ans ..., Honoré Daumier

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Artist & collection

Artist

Honoré Daumier

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…