Honoré Daumier

About the Artist

Honoré Daumier (1808-1879) is a leading painter and printmaker of French Realism. Born and active in Paris, he left behind political cartoons that satirized society. Beginning in the 1830s, he drew attention for political caricatures published in magazines, though he was at times imprisoned for political reasons. His work is marked by a harmony of sharp criticism and warm humanity. Signature works include the lithograph series 'Robert Macaire' and the oil painting 'The Third-Class Carriage,' which well reveal his social awareness and artistic reflection. In his later years he lost his eyesight and suffered greatly, but his artistic legacy remains widely celebrated.