Beschreibung:

DAUMIER, Honoré (1808-1879). [ La Journée du célibataire ]. Edited by Bauger. Paris: Aubert & Cie., [1839].
DAUMIER, Honoré (1808-1879). [ La Journée du célibataire ]. Edited by Bauger. Paris: Aubert & Cie., [1839]. 4° (323 x 246mm). Without title [as published]. 12 coloured lithographs after Daumier, finished by hand. (Very short tear in gutter of 2 plates.) Modern salmon morocco by Max Koelliker, title in gilt on front cover, slipcase (spine faintly sunned). This series of lithographs was first published in The Charivari between April 14 and September 15, 1839. Daumier illustrates the day and activities of a bachelor, called Monsieur Coquelet. It starts at 7 o'clock in the morning and the series ends at 9 o'clock in the evening, when Mr Coquelet goes to bed. The series reads like a story and therefore ideal for publication as an album. Daumier was interested in attaining the "richest effects of illumination and 'color'" on very few stones. Probably "the masterpiece is the concluding number of the series La Journée du Célibataire . Even here, however, the treatment of the face, an amazing bit of modeling, reminds us that Daumier's greatest gift was expressive line. Most characteristic is Daumier's treatment of human features, his amazing distortions of the facial mask ... Daumier's oddest faces are not a defiance of cranial anatomy, but ingenious and intelligent developments from it" ( Daumier's Lithographs , 1915). Daumier Register 607-618 (all state 2, only no. 608 state 3); L. Delteil 607-618 (all state 2, only no. 608 state 3); Hazard-Delteil 1998-2009 (nos. 1998-2001, 2003-2005, 2007 & 2009 state 2, no. 2002, 2006 & 2008 state 1).