Comment on donne... le goût de la navigation

Art Historical Context

Honoré Daumier’s *Comment on donne... le goût la navigation* (1846) is a witty lithograph that captures the French artist’s signature satirical flair. Created during the July Monarchy, a period of political tension and social satire in France, Daum skewers everyday absurdities through exaggerated figures and expressive lines. The title, translating to “How one acquires... a taste for navigation,” pokes fun at the pretensions of the bourgeoisie discovering leisure pursuits like boating, reflecting the era’s growing fascination with travel and recreation amid industrial change. As a master of lithography, Daumier produced thousands of prints for newspapers and journals, making art accessible to the masses. This medium allowed him to blend sharp social commentary with dynamic compositions—bold contrasts, fluid gestures, and caricatured faces that convey humor and critique in a single glance. Housed in the National Gallery of Art’s Rosenwald Collection, the work exemplifies his role in the Realist movement’s precursor, bridging caricature and fine art. Visitors will delight in Daumier’s keen eye for human folly, inviting us to chuckle at our own nautical ambitions while appreciating how 19th-century prints democratized satire. (178 words)

About the Artist

Honoré Daumier · 1810–1879

Honoré-Victorin Daumier (1808-1879) was a prolific French printmaker, caricaturist, painter, and sculptor whose works offered incisive commentary on the social and political life of 19th-century France. Known as the 'Michelangelo of Caricature,' Daumier produced over 4,000 lithographs, 500 paintings, 1,000 drawings, and 100 sculptures during his lifetime. His biting political satire led to his imp...