Le Portier en tournées de visites...
1841
Medium
lithograph
Classification
Department
CG-E
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Rosenwald Collection
Accession Number
1943.3.2979
Art Historical Context
Honoré Daumier, a master of 19th-century French caricature, created *Le Portier en tourn de visites...* (The Porter on Inspection Rounds...) in 1841 as a lithograph. This print exemplifies Daumier's incisive satirical style, which flourished during the July Monarchy under King Louis-Philippe. Working for journals like *Le Chariv*, Daumier used his art to skewer social pretensions, bureaucracy, and absurdities of everyday life in Paris, often facing censorship for his bold political commentary. The title a lowly porter—perhaps a building superintendent or doorkeeper—embarking on pompous "inspe...
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...