A happy evening party in Clichy, from 'News of the day,' published in Le Charivari, March 16, 1865 by Honoré Daumier

A happy evening party in Clichy, from 'News of the day,' published in Le Charivari, March 16, 1865

Honoré Daumier · 1865

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“Stop and observe this vibrant snapshot of a 19th-century Parisian party. Daumier's expressive lines bring the scene to life, capturing the joy and chatter of a social evening in remarkable detail.”

ABOUT THIS WORK

In this lively lithograph, Honoré Daumier captures a bustling evening party in Clichy, a Parisian suburb. The scene is full of movement and chatter, with figures clustered around tables, their faces animated by conversation and laughter. Daumier uses bold, expressive lines to suggest the energy of the gathering, from the dramatic sweep of a woman's dress to the gestural hand of a man mid-sentence. Though rendered in black and white on newsprint, the artist masterfully conveys the atmosphere of a social event, hinting at the clinking of glasses and the murmur of many voices. Published in Le Charivari in 1865, this print offers a glimpse into the daily life and leisure of the Parisian bourgeoisie, a frequent subject for Daumier after stricter censorship laws curtailed his overtly political cartoons in the 1830s.

DETAILS
Artist
Honoré Daumier
Date
1865
Medium
Lithograph on newsprint; second state of two (Delteil)
Location
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Dimensions
Image: 8 7/8 in. × 9 in. (22.5 × 22.8 cm)
Collection
Drawings and Prints
Credit line
Rogers Fund, 1922
ART MOVEMENTS
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What to Notice

Five details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.

A happy evening party in Clichy, from 'News of the day,' published in Le Charivari, March 16, 1865
01

The central figure's dramatic gesture and wide-open mouth, suggesting animated conversation.

02

The varied expressions on the faces of the party-goers, from laughter to thoughtful listening.

03

The intricate patterns on the women's dresses and bonnets, typical of 19th-century fashion.

04

The way light and shadow define the figures, despite the print's monochromatic nature.

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