Gare la lumière!

1870

Honoré Daumier

Associated Names
Honoré Daumier

Artist, French, 1808 - 1879

This is a drawing of several owls with human-like qualities reacting dramatically to a lantern inscribed with "LIBERTÉ ÉLECTORALE." The owls have exaggerated expressions of shock, fear, or surprise, as they flutter around with wide eyes and prominent wings. The scene focuses on the dichotomy between the light of the lantern and the owls' reactions. Various numbers "5C" are written throughout the piece. The artwork is rendered in a black and white illustrative style typical of political or social satire in period publications.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    lithograph (gillotype?) on newsprint

  • Credit Line

    Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund

  • Accession Number

    1979.49.187

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Delteil, no. 3776, State ii/ii


Artwork history & notes

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

Q65570331

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