Artwork
The Universal Exhibition: The Egyptians Section
The Universal Exhibition: The Egyptians Section is a print by the Impressionist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1867 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 1921.1510
- Credit line
- Gift of Ralph King
About this work
Behind them, the wall is packed with tiny, awkwardly drawn figures, some standing, some embracing, all looking stiff and simple.
This sketch shows two people standing in front of a wall covered in stick-figure drawings. The man wears a top hat, a long coat, and a cane, while the woman in a dark dress leans on his arm. Behind them, the wall is packed with tiny, awkwardly drawn figures, some standing, some embracing, all looking stiff and simple.
The figures on the wall look like quick, rough sketches, almost like doodles. The couple seems bored or confused by what they’re seeing.
This print is part of a series about an 1867 exhibition. Next, look up The Cleveland Museum of Art to see where it’s kept.
Overview
The Universal Exhibition: The Egyptians Section is a print by Honoré Daumier, dated 1867, currently in the collection of The Cleveland Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a bourgeois couple, a man in formal attire and a woman in a dark dress, standing before a wall covered in crude, stick-figure drawings of Egyptians. Their expressions convey boredom or perplexity, potentially commenting on the audience's disconnection from or misunderstanding of the exhibited cultural artifacts.
Technique & Style
Daumier's work features quickly rendered, rough sketches of Egyptian figures on the wall, contrasting with the more detailed, though not overly elaborate, depiction of the European couple. This stylistic dichotomy may highlight the superficiality of the viewers' engagement.
History & Provenance
Created in 1867 as part of a series focusing on the Universal Exhibition of that year, the print is now part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection, though specific details on its acquisition are not provided here.
Context
The Universal Exhibition of 1867, held in Paris, was a global event showcasing achievements in various fields. Daumier's series, including this print, offers a satirical glimpse into the public's interaction with the exhibits, particularly the Egyptian section.
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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