A la santé du raisin! ...

Art Historical Context

**A la santé du rais! ... (To the Health of the Grape! ...)** *Honoré Daumier, 1852, Lithograph* *National Gallery of Art, Corcoran (Gift of Dr. Hammer)* Created in 1852 by the prolific French artist Honoré Daumier *A la santé du rais! ...* captures the lively spirit of mid-19th-century French society through signature satirical lens. Daumier, a master caricaturist, produced thousands of lithographs for popular journals like *Le Charivari*, skewering the bourgeoisie, politicians, and everyday follies during the turbulent Second Republic and early Second Empire under Napoleon III. This print, with its playful title evoking a toast to wine, likely pokes fun at the joys (and excesses) of French viniculture and communal revelry—a recurring theme in Daumier's work celebrating the common folk. Lithography, Daumier's preferred medium, revolutionized printmaking by allowing detailed, expressive drawings to be reproduced inexpensively on stone, reaching wide audiences. His bold lines, exaggerated features, and dynamic compositions brought social commentary into homes across France, influencing later graphic artists. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's Corcoran Collection, this piece exemplifies Daumier's enduring legacy as a chronicler of human nature, blending humor with sharp critique. (178 words)

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...