Artwork
Qu'est-ce que vous faites la...
Qu'est-ce que vous faites la... is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1836 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Qu'est-ce que vous faites là.
About this work
Overview
Qu'est-ce que vous faites là... is a lithograph by Honoré Daumier, capturing a tense moment between two men in a rural garden setting, conveyed through meticulous lithographic technique.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a man clandestinely climbing a stone wall while another, armed with a rifle, watches from below, implying a commentary on social hierarchy and authority.
Technique & Style
Daumier utilized lithography, drawing with greasy ink on stone, to achieve sharp, detailed line work and expressive cross-hatching, characteristic of his satirical style.
Context
Created in the 19th century, this work reflects Daumier's penchant for satirical illustrations, often poking fun at societal norms and authority figures, frequently set against everyday, rustic backdrops.
Legacy
This lithograph exemplifies Daumier's contribution to social commentary through art, inviting viewers to interpret the nuances of power dynamics and surveillance in a seemingly ordinary scene.
Artist & collection
Artist
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.
