The incomparable somnabulist," from 'Memories of the celebration at St. Cloud,' published in Le Petit Journal pour Rire, September 16, 1865

Art Historical Context

Honoré Daumier, the masterful French caricaturist of the 19th century, captures the absurdities of everyday life in this satirical lithograph, *The Incomparable Somnabulist published in *Le Petit Journal pourire* on September , 1865. Part of the series *Memories of the Celebration St. Cloud*, it a crowd of men in a humorous, chaotic scene—likely poking fun at public festivities or social pretensions during Napoleon III's Second Empire. Daumier's sharp wit targeted the bourgeoisie and political figures, making his works both entertaining and incisive commentaries on French society. Printed as a lithograph on newsprint—the fourth state of four—this affordable medium allowed Daumier's dynamic drawings to reach a wide audience through weekly humor journals. Lithography's greasy crayon technique enabled expressive lines and tonal effects, perfect for conveying motion and exaggeration in crowded compositions. At just 5½ × 9½ inches, the image packs a punch, its compact scale mirroring the intimate, gossip-fueled world of Parisian satire. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, this piece exemplifies Daumier's prolific output of over 4,000 prints, blending artistry with social critique. Visitors will delight in spotting the sleepwalker's oblivious strut amid the throng—a timeless nod to human folly.

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...