Les saltimbanques

1880

Honoré Daumier

Associated Names
Honoré Daumier

Artist, French, 1808 - 1879

This is a drawing of a caricature-like scene with an exaggerated central figure and an audience. The image depicts a small figure in ragged clothing standing on a stage or platform, with one hand raised and the other slightly lowered. To the left, another figure is seen playing a drum. Surrounding these figures are numerous spectators with simple, expressive facial features. The figures are drawn with loose, sketch-like lines and shading that create a sense of texture and depth in the scene. The exaggerated proportions and features, particularly the central figure's bulbous head and elongated limbs, contribute to a satirical or humorous tone in the depiction.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    gillotype on China paper

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Accession Number

    1958.8.58

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Delteil, no. 3953, State i/ii


Artwork history & notes

Exhibition History

1979

  • Honoré Daumier, 1808-1879, NGA, 1979, no. 89, repro.

Bibliography

1906

  • Delteil, Loys. Le peintre-graveur illustre. 31 vols. Paris: Published by the author, 1906-1926. Reprint. New York: Collectors Editions, Da Capo Press, 1969. Vol. 30 (Albert Besnard) is by Louis Godefroy.

Wikidata ID

Q65357236

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