The Gown Falls, Man Remains, and the Legs are Shaking. (J.B. Rousseau), plate 10 from Coquetterie

Art Historical Context

Step into the mischievous world of Honoré Daumier with *The Gown Falls, Man, and the Legs areaking* (J.B. Rousseau), plate10 from his *Coquetterie*. Published on October 18, 1840, this lithograph the French artist's signature satirical flair, poking fun at flirtatious escapades in mid-19th-century Parisian. Daumier, a master caricaturist, drew from a playful quote by poet Jean-Baptiste Rousseau to depict a moment of comedic vulnerability amid romantic intrigue. Printed in black ink with scraping on stone—a technique Daumier used to create dramatic highlights and textures—on cream w paper, the image measures 23.4 × 19 cm, with added handwritten text and letterpress on the verso. This innovative lithography process allowed for affordable mass production, making Daumier's sharp social commentary accessible to a wide audience during the July Monarchy era. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Prints and Drawings department, this work exemplifies Daumier's role in advancing narrative printmaking. His exaggerated figures and wry humor critiqued bourgeois pretensions, blending artistry with cultural bite for enduring appeal.

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...