Artwork
Si ma machine est bonne? je crois bien...
Si ma machine est bonne? je crois bien... is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1843 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. The lithograph 'Si ma machine est bonne?
About this work
Overview
The lithograph 'Si ma machine est bonne? je crois bien...' is a work by French artist Honoré Daumier, created in 1843. It is a print, characteristic of Daumier's diverse practice as a painter, sculptor, and printmaker.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts two men near a train, with one, dressed as a worker, pointing to the locomotive while the other, in a top hat, observes. The scene likely conveys a commentary on the emerging technology of rail transport, a contemporary issue during Daumier's time.
Technique & Style
Daumier employed lithography to create the work, using quick, sketchy lines to convey movement and character. The contrast between the relaxed posture of the top-hatted figure and the worker's engaged gesture adds to the scene's narrative potential.
Context
As a prolific contributor to satirical publications like 'La Caricature' and 'Le Charivari', Daumier frequently critiqued societal and political issues. This lithograph reflects his ongoing engagement with contemporary themes through visual satire, likely targeting the social implications of industrial advancements.
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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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