La gare du chemin de fer de Boulogne
1852
Medium
lithograph
Classification
Department
CG-E
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Corcoran Collection (Gift of Dr. Armand Hammer)
Accession Number
2015.143.1099
Art Historical Context
In 1852, Honoré Daumier captured the of modern life in *La gare du chemin de fer de Boulogne a lively lithograph depicting the Boune railway station. As a master of French Realism, Daumier was renowned for his sharp social commentary through prints, often published in newspapers like *Le Charivari*. This work reflects the rapid expansion of France's rail network during the Second Empire under Napoleon III, when railways symbolized industrial progress and transformed travel for all classes. Lithography, Daumier's preferred medium, allowed for intricate details and mass reproduction, making his...
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...