"- Oh my God, Mama, mama!........ For heaven's sake..... my daughter, my daughter!!!," plate 26 from Pastorales

Art Historical Context

Step into the dramatic world of 19th-century France with Honoré Daumier's *"- Oh my God, Mama mama!........ For heaven sake..... my daughter, daughter!!!,"* plate 26 from the series *Pastorales* (1845). This striking lithograph in black on white wove (image: 27.1 × 23.6 cm) captures a moment of raw anguish, likely in a rural setting, through the artist's masterful use of expressive dialogue and gesture. Daumier, a prolific French caricaturist and Realist, produced this during the July Monarchy, a time of social upheaval and growing industrialization. Lithography was Daumier's preferred medium, enabling him to create bold, high-contrast images that could be reproduced en masse for newspapers and journals—reaching everyday audiences with sharp social commentary. In *Pastorales*, he juxtaposes idyllic countryside themes with gritty human drama, using fluid lines and dynamic compositions to convey intense emotion. The exclamatory title evokes a mother's desperate cry, underscoring Daumier's empathy for the working classes and his critique of life's harsh realities. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Prints and Drawings Department, this work exemplifies Daumier's enduring legacy: over 4,000 lithographs blending satire, humanity, and technical innovation. It's a window into the passions of ordinary folk, inviting you to feel the weight of their world.

About the Artist

Honoré-Victorin Daumier · 1808–1879

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...