“Well...as the saying goes, like a genuine string of pearls, .... only some of them have become unthreaded, that's all!,” plate 9 from Coquetterie

Art Historical Context

Honoré Daumier, a master of 19th-century French caricature, captures the essence of coquettish charm in this lithograph, plate 9 from his *Coquetterie* series, created in 1840. The witty title—“Well...as the saying goes, like a genuine string of pearls, .... only some of them have become unthreaded, that's all!”—hints at a playful scene of feminine vanity, likely depicting a woman excusing a mishap with her jewelry in a flirtatious manner. Daumier, renowned for his sharp social satire during the July Monarchy, used such works to poke fun at bourgeois pretensions and gender dynamics in Parisian life. Printed in black ink on off-white wove paper (image 23.5 × 18.9 cm), this lithograph exemplifies Daumier's virtuosic technique. Lithography, which he helped popularize, allowed for expressive lines and tonal gradations mimicking drawing, enabling affordable mass production through periodicals like *La Caricature*. The medium's accessibility amplified Daumier's commentary on everyday absurdities, making art a tool for public discourse amid France's political tensions. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Prints and Drawings Department, this piece reflects Daumier's enduring legacy as a chronicler of human folly, blending humor with keen observation to delight and provoke viewers even today.

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...