Parole d'honneur Mme. Frenouillet...
1841
Medium
lithograph
Classification
Department
CG-E
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Rosenwald Collection
Accession Number
1946.21.254
Art Historical Context
In 1841, French artist Honoré Daumier *Parole d'honneur Mme. Frenouillet... a lively lithograph that captures his signature satirical flair. Daumier, a masteraturist during the July Monarchy, used this print medium to produce affordable, widely circulated images critiquing bourgeois society and politics. Lithography's greasy crayon technique allowed him to achieve bold lines, expressive faces, and dynamic compositions, making his work accessible to the masses through journals like *Le Charivari*. The title, translating to "Word of honor, Mme. Frenouillet...," hints at a humorous domestic or s...
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...