Who painted On dit que le chien est ami de l'homme...?

On dit que le chien est ami de l'homme... was painted by Honoré Daumier in 1855.

Where can I see On dit que le chien est ami de l'homme...?

On dit que le chien est ami de l'homme... is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is On dit que le chien est ami de l'homme...?

On dit que le chien est ami de l'homme... is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

On dit que le chien est ami de l'homme...

Honoré Daumier , 1855

On dit que le chien est ami de l'homme... is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1855 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Honoré Daumier's 1855 lithograph *On dit que le chien est ami de l'homme...* is a satirical print critiquing human social behavior during the Second French Empire.

Subject & Meaning

The work uses the dog-man relationship trope to highlight hypocrisy in human interactions, questioning the notion of mutual friendship through a scene of a weary, possibly injured dog and an annoyed handler.

Technique & Style

Executed in lithograph, the piece showcases Daumier's characteristic blend of visual wit and political commentary, featuring simple yet effective compositions and expressive character depictions.

History & Provenance

Created during Daumier's prolific period of producing caricatures for *La Caricature* and *Le Charivari*, this lithograph aligns with his republican democrat stance, targeting the flaws of the monarchy, aristocracy, and clergy.

Context

The print reflects the social and political climate of the Second French Empire, where satire served as a powerful tool for social critique among republican democrats like Daumier.

Legacy

This lithograph contributes to Daumier's legacy as a pioneering caricaturist, influencing the development of satirical art and lithography, with its themes remaining relevant in critiques of human-animal and social relationships.

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.