The danger of being caught in a steeple chase, plate 12 from Pastorales

Art Historical Context

Honoré-Victorin Daumier’s 1845 lithograph *The danger of being caught in a steeple chase* forms plate 12 of his series *Pastorales*. Created during France’s July Monarchy, the print exemplifies Daumier’s mastery of lithography, a medium that allowed rapid production and wide circulation of through journals such as *Le Charivari*. Printed in black on white wove paper, the work measures roughly 27 by 23 centimeters and captures the dynamic energy of equestrian sport with the artist’s characteristic economy of line and expressive exaggeration. Although the precise narrative remains open to interpretation, the title suggests a humorous or cautionary scene drawn from contemporary leisure pursuits. Daumier frequently used such subjects to comment gently on bourgeois pastimes, blending observation with subtle satire. The lithographic technique, prized for its ability to convey spontaneous, sketch-like effects, enabled him to translate the rush and risk of a steeplechase into an accessible, reproducible format. Today the impression resides in the Art Institute of Chicago’s Department of Prints and Drawings, where it illustrates both Daumier’s technical virtuosity and the expanding role of printmaking in shaping nineteenth-century visual culture.

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...