Un Coup de Vent non Prédit par Mathieu (de la Drôme), Plate 1 of Croquis d'Hiver

Art Historical Context

Honoré Daumier, the renowned 19th-century French caricist and printmaker, a moment of everyday chaos in *Un Coup de Vent nonédit par Mathieu ( la Drôme), Plate1 of Croquis d'Hiver* (December 3, 1864). This lithograph men and women caught off-guard by an unexpected gust of wind, hats likely flying in disarray—a humorous nod to the unpredictability of winter weather, playfully mocking a weather forecaster named Mathieu from the Drôme region. As the first plate in Daumier's *Croquis d'Hiver* (Winter Sketches) series, it showcases his keen eye for urban life's comedic mishaps. Daumier's lithography expertise shines here, a technique he mastered to produce affordable, mass-distributed prints that satirized French society during the Second Empire. The medium allowed for expressive lines and tonal subtleties, while added pen notations suggest this is a working proof, offering rare insight into his creative process. Printed on a modest 8 1/2 x 10 in. sheet, it reflects his commitment to accessible art amid political censorship. Held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1939), this piece highlights Daumier's enduring legacy in blending realism with caricature, inviting viewers to chuckle at shared human vulnerabilities in a blustery Parisian winter.

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...