The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 16, 2024

Singing Guitarist (recto)

Singing Guitarist (recto)

1855–60
(French, 1808–1879)
France, 19th century
pen and black ink over charcoal
Sheet: 33.9 x 21.5 cm (13 3/8 x 8 7/16 in.)
The Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund 1991.59.a
Location: not on view

Description

The first six-string guitars appeared simultaneously in Naples and Paris in the 1770s, and by the end of the 19th century the so-called Romantic guitar played a central role in the popular music of the French capital. Daumier’s drawing reflects this interest in street singers and carnival performers. The agitated, almost frenetic tangle of fine lines drawn in pen and ink imbues the figure with life, so that his voice and instrument seem to vibrate with emotion.
  • Lousada (not stamped, not in Lugt) (according to Maison 1968, p. 115, no. 340). Croal Thompson, Barbizon House (not stamped, not in Lugt) (according to Maison 1958, p. 349). T.O. Falk (not stamped, not in Lugt) (according to Maison 1968, p. 115, no. 340). Private Collection, Oxford (according to Maison 1968, p. 115, no. 340). [Hobart and Maclean]
  • Turner, Evan H. "Selected 1991 Acquisitions." The Bulletin of the Cleveland Museum of Art 79, no. 2 (1992): 63-83. Reproduced: p. 72; Mentioned: p. 80 www.jstor.org
  • Themes and Variations: Musical Drawings and Prints. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (January 25-May 17, 2015).
    CMA, French Drawings from the Collection (Dec. 13, 1994-Mar. 12, 1995).
    Frankfurt, Städelsches Kunstinstitut und Statische Galerie; New York, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Honoré Daumier: Drawings (Nov. 17, 1992-Jan. 17, 1993; Feb. 26-May 2, 1993), no. 117, illus.
    Daumier Drawings. Städelsches Kunstinstitut im Städtischen Kunstinstitut Frankfurt am Main (organizer) (November 17, 1992-January 17, 1993); The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY (February 26-May 2, 1993).
    CMA, Selected 1991 Acquisitions (Jan. 28-Apr. 26, 1992), cma Bulletin 79 (1992), illus. p. 72.
    London, Tate Gallery, Daumier Paintings and Drawings (1961), no. 144.
    London, Burlington Fine Arts Club, Drawings and Sculpture of the French School of the Last 100 Years (1922), no. 56.
  • {{cite web|title=Singing Guitarist (recto)|url=false|author=Honoré Daumier|year=1855–60|access-date=16 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1991.59.a