Honore Daumier
Early Life
Honoré Daumier was born on February 26, 1808, in Marseille, France. His father, Jean-Baptiste Louis Daumier, was a glazier who was passionate about poetry and wanted to be recognized as an artist. In 1816, the family moved to Paris, where Daumier's father hoped to have his poetry published. However, his efforts were unsuccessful, and the family lived in poverty.
Education
Daumier received little formal education due to his family's financial situation. However, he showed an early interest in drawing and was apprenticed to a bookseller and publisher at the age of 12. This job allowed him to meet artists and writers who frequented the shop. He also attended the Academy Suisse, a free school, where he learned the basics of art.
Career
Daumier began his career as a caricaturist. In 1830, he started working for the satirical newspaper La Caricature, where he created lithographs that criticized the government and the bourgeoisie. His work was controversial, and he was imprisoned for six months in 1832 for a caricature of King Louis-Philippe.
After his release, Daumier continued to work for La Caricature until it was forced to close in 1835. He then began working for Le Charivari, another satirical newspaper. During this time, he produced over 4,000 lithographs, which are considered some of his best work.
In addition to his lithographs, Daumier also created paintings and sculptures. His paintings often depicted scenes of everyday life, while his sculptures were typically caricatures of political figures. Despite his prolific output, Daumier struggled financially throughout his life.
Later Life and Death
In his later years, Daumier's eyesight began to fail, and he was forced to stop working. He lived in poverty and was nearly blind when he died on February 10, 1879, in Valmondois, France.
Legacy
Daumier's work has had a significant impact on the art world. His lithographs are considered a precursor to modern comic strips, and his paintings and sculptures influenced many artists, including Pablo Picasso and Francis Bacon. Despite his lack of commercial success during his lifetime, Daumier is now recognized as one of the most important artists of the 19th century.