Artwork
Un criminel!
Un criminel! is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1864 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Honoré Daumée r’s lithograph titled Un criminel! presents a brief, comic encounter between two men. One figure strides forward, supported by a cane, while the other, eyes widened, reaches out to seize the arm of the walking man. The scene is rendered in a loose, caricatural manner that emphasizes exaggerated gestures and facial expressions.
Subject & Meaning
The work satirizes pretended bravado, portraying a would‑be aggressor whose startled reaction undercuts any notion of genuine toughness. By juxtaposing a confident gait with a startled grasp, Daumier highlights the absurdity of self‑assertion and the social tendency to overplay one’s own importance, a recurring theme in his social commentary.
Technique & Style
Executed in lithography, a printmaking process that gained popularity in the nineteenth century for its capacity to reproduce swift, sketch‑like images, the piece displays Daumier’s characteristic use of bold lines and exaggerated anatomy. The medium allows for a spontaneous, newspaper‑ready quality, reinforcing the work’s cartoonish tone.
Context
Created during a period when Daumier regularly contributed satirical images to French periodicals, the lithograph reflects the artist’s engagement with contemporary urban life and public discourse. Its humorous visual language aligns with the broader tradition of 19th‑century caricature that critiqued social manners and class pretensions.
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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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Un Criminel!
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