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Having been born into an artistic family, Honoré Daumier received some artistic training from a young age with a local painter, Alexandre Lenoir. Daumier began his career by making advertisements. Around 1830, his satirical lithographs caught the attention of La Caricature, a periodical centered on political satire. Daumier was well-known for his caricatures and his satirical commentary of political and social life in France. Oftentimes, these lithographs were controversial and his prints regarding King Louis-Philippe resulted in his imprisonment for six months. Following his imprisonment, Daumier began producing lithographs for the journal Le Charivari; these prints, while still satirical, took a less political and more social turn. During his career he made over 4,000 lithographs, in addition to sculptures and Realist paintings.Label Type
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Les Bas-bleus translates to The Bluestockings, a term for educated, intellectual women. The original term referred to a member of the Blue Stockings Society of England, but in France it was often used with negative connotation. Daumier’s series Les Bas-bleus ridiculed the feminists of the day for neglecting their societal role as wives and mothers, and for presenting as unfeminine. This series of forty prints was published by Le Charivari; his print appeared on page 18.
The translation of text below the image is: (O Victor, my idol. . .A poetic notion has come to me!! Let us throw ourselves together, at this instant, from the top of this gray cliff into the blue waves of the Ocean!. . ./ Drown ourselves in the sea!..let us reflect on this, Anastasia,. . . I would like to descend yet awhile the river of life!")