Un soliciteur Guettant ...Bineau!
1850
Medium
lithograph
Classification
Department
CG-E
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Corcoran Collection (Gift of Dr. Armand Hammer)
Accession Number
2015.143.1051
Art Historical Context
In the bustling world of 19th-century French satire, Honoré Daumier's *Un soliciteur GuettantBineau!* (1850) captures the sharp wit that defined his career. A master caricaturist, Daumier produced thousands of lithographs for publications like *Le Charivari*, skewering the hypocrisies of lawyers, politicians, and the bourgeoisie during the turbulent Second French Republic. This print likely pokes fun at a scheming solicitor ("soliciteur") spying on or eagerly watching the figure of Bineau—possibly a nod to a contemporary political or legal personality—highlighting the era's corruption and oppo...
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...