Honore' Daumier
dal 4/12/2012 al 16/2/2013
Segnalato da
4/12/2012
Honore' Daumier
Pinakothek der Moderne, Munich
240 works by Honore' Daumier (1808-79), the most important French caricaturist of the 19th century, are being shown to the public for the first time since being donated by the collectors Brigitte and Walter Kames. A major part of the Kames Collection comprises early sheets as well as a large number of complete series in which Daumier dealt with one subject in several different images.
240 works by Honoré Daumier (1808–79), the most important French
caricaturist of the 19th century, are being shown to the public for the first
time since being donated by the collectors Brigitte and Walter Kames.
Since 3,085 lithographs and 30 woodcuts by the French artist were
transferred to the Museumsstiftung zur Förderung der staatlichen
bayerischen Museen (Museum Foundation to Assist Bavarian State
Museums) in 2011, the Staatliche Graphische Sammlung München now has
the most extensive holdings of prints by Daumier anywhere in Germany. The
Foundation complements the some 650 lithographs and 60 woodcuts already
in the prints collection.
A major part of the Kames Collection comprises early sheets as well as a
large number of complete series in which Daumier dealt with one subject in
several different images. The selection of works shown in the exhibition
includes some of these series in their entirety, providing a compelling and
comprehensive overview of the artist’s œuvre.
Narrow-minded politicians and over-burdened heads of state, haughty
Parisians and country bumpkins as well as pining bachelors and resolute
wives – all of them are examined down the minutest detail by Daumier and
caricatured to a tee. Daumier lived in the metropolis of Paris from childhood.
He was a member of staff on the weekly satirical magazine ‘La Caricature’
(1830–35) that soon fell victim to censorship. In addition, he worked for
decades for the daily ‘Le Charivari’ (1832–75). His œuvre consists of some
4,000 lithographs drawn by him personally and approximately 1,000
woodcuts made from his drawings. Over a period of more than forty
politically and socially extremely eventful years, Daumier created very
original pictorial satires that are characterised in particular by the dramatic
use of light and shade, precisely drawn physiognomies and the artist’s apt
depiction of a situation’s comical side. These images give us an immediate
picture of daily events at that time, of everyday politics and society and the
different social milieus.
The Ernst von Siemens Kunststiftung has funded the publication of a
detailed, illustrated catalogue raisonné with essays on different aspects of
Daumier’s caricatures. Published by Deutscher Kunstverlag, Munich/Berlin,
c. 360 pages, c. 280 illustrations, c. € 28.
The exhibition takes place within the celebrations commemorating the 50th
anniversary of the Élysée Treaty: “Deutsch-französisches Jahr: 50 Jahre
Élysée-Vertrag” (http://www.elysee50.de/).
Further information and pictorial material is available under tel. + 49 (0)89
23805-286 or via e-mail to presse@pinakothek.de.
Image: Serie "Bal de la Cour", Montaugibet en patissier, 1833, Lithographie 291 x 217 mm
Press preview: 5 December 11.00
Opening: 5 December 18.30
Pinakothek der Moderne
Barer Strasse 40 - Munich
Hours: daily except mon 10am-6pm, thu 10am-8pm
Admission: regular 10 euro, reduced 7 euro