Honoré Daumier

Date of Birth: February 26, 1808

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Date of Death: February 10, 1879

Biography

Honoré Daumier was a prolific French artist known primarily for his caricatures, lithographs, and paintings. Born in Marseille, France, Daumier moved to Paris with his family at a young age. His father was a glazier who aspired to be a poet, and his family struggled financially, which influenced Daumier’s early life and career choices. He began his artistic career as a lithographer and quickly gained recognition for his satirical works that critiqued politics and society. Daumier’s sharp wit and keen observation skills made him a beloved yet controversial figure in 19th-century France. His most famous works include political cartoons published in the satirical newspaper “La Caricature” and “Le Charivari.” Despite facing censorship and imprisonment for his bold critiques, Daumier continued to produce art that highlighted social issues and human nature. Beyond caricatures, he also excelled in painting and sculpture, though these works were less commercially successful during his lifetime. Daumier is often celebrated as a significant precursor to modern art movements, influencing artists like Vincent van Gogh and Pablo Picasso.

5 Interesting Facts about Honoré Daumier

1. Honoré Daumier was imprisoned for six months in 1832 for a caricature of King Louis-Philippe depicted as Gargantua.

2. He created over 4,000 lithographs in his lifetime, making him one of the most prolific lithographers in history.

3. Daumier was also a skilled sculptor; his small busts of French parliamentary figures are renowned for their expressiveness and detail.

4. He was largely self-taught, having received only informal training from local artists and working as an assistant in a lithography workshop.

5. Despite his critical acclaim, Daumier died in relative poverty and obscurity, only receiving greater recognition posthumously.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Honoré Daumier

1. “One must be of one’s time and paint what one sees.”

2. “The life of the artist is a life of suffering.”

3. “Without freedom of speech, there is no modern world, just a barbaric one.”

4. “I have been further enlightened by the works of the great masters.”

5. “I am a painter of the people. I want to show the world as it is.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Daumier’s highest net worth is difficult to ascertain due to the historical context, but he was not wealthy during his lifetime and lived modestly. Posthumously, his works have garnered significant value, with some pieces fetching hundreds of thousands of dollars at auction.