Two Male Heads
19th century
Medium
Conté crayon and wash. Laid paper.
Dimensions
8 1/8 x 11 7/8 in. (20.7 x 30.2cm)
Classification
Drawings
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Grégoire Tarnopol, 1979, and Gift of Alexander Tarnopol, 1980
Accession Number
1980.21.12
Tags
Art Historical Context
Honoré Daumier, a master of 19th-century French Realism, captured the raw essence of human character in *Two Male Heads*, a poignant drawing from the era of social upheaval in France. Known for his incisive caricatures in periodicals like *La Caricature* and *Le Charivari*, Daumier often depicted the faces of everyday men—lawyers, laborers, and bourgeoisie—with unflinching empathy and satire, reflecting the turbulent politics under King Louis-Philippe. Executed in conté crayon and wash on laid paper, this intimate study (8 1/8 x 11 7/8 in.) showcases Daumier's virtuoso technique. Conté crayon...
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...