The Prodigal Son

Honoré Daumier

Associated Names
Honoré Daumier

Artist, French, 1808 - 1879

This is a drawing of multiple overlapping sketches of figures in various poses. The drawing is composed of rough, gestural lines forming several figures grouped together in different arrangements across the paper. Each figure appears to be intertwined with others, creating a sense of movement and interaction. The lines are loose and spontaneous, conveying a sketch-like, exploratory nature to the composition. The figures are shown standing, sitting, and leaning, with a sense of gravity and balance. The use of ink wash adds contrast and depth to certain parts, highlighting one of the groups especially in the lower right. The paper has a natural beige tone.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    pen and black ink with black wash on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (approximate): 21.2 x 15 cm (8 3/8 x 5 7/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.3238

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Maison 1968, no. 754

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

LJR (Lugt Supp.1760b)

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1958

  • Honoré Daumier Anniversary Exhibition, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 1958.

  • Honoré Daumier: Exhibition of Prints, Drawings, Watercolors, Paintings, and Sculpture, Los Angeles County Museum, 1958, 217.

1999

  • Daumier: 1808-1879, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa; Galeries nationales du Grand Palais, Paris; The Phillips Collection, Washington, D.C., 1999-2000, no. 191, repro. (shown only in Paris and Washington).

2013

  • Daumier ist ungebeuer!, Stiftung Brandenburger Tor der Landesbank Berlin Holding AG, Max Lieberman Haus, Berlin, 2013, no. 8.18, repro.

Bibliography

1958

  • Feinblatt 1958, 215 (dated c.1865-66).

  • Wick 1958, 174.

1968

  • Maison, K.E. Honore Daumier: Catalogue Raisonne of the Paintings, Watercolors, and Drawings. 2 vols. Greenwich, CT: New York Graphic Society, 1968.

Inscriptions

in later hand, lower right verso: KK 1050

Wikidata ID

Q64574402

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