An artwork on Galleree from Minneapolis Institute of Art.
About the artwork
The Fugitivesc. 1868–70
Artist: Honoré Daumier
French, 1808–1879
15 x 26 3/4 in. (38.1 x 67.95 cm) (canvas)
24 3/8 x 36 1/8 x 3 in. (61.91 x 91.76 x 7.62 cm) (outer frame)
Oil on canvas
Painting
France
19th century
The Ethel Morrison Van Derlip Fund
In the dim glow of a modest gallery, the silence is thick with the weight of human experience. Here hangs a profound creation by the master artist, Honoré Daumier. As onlookers step closer, the vibrant hues in his painting, *The Fugitives*, whisper tales of struggle and desperation. This, his final piece, serves as an echo of the refugee’s plight, capturing the very essence of fleeing from turmoil—a theme that resonated deeply during the tumultuous days of the Franco-Prussian War and the Paris Commune in 1870.
But Daumier’s brush did not simply capture the chaos of events; it traversed the landscape of emotional endurance and human suffering. Each figure in the painting seems trapped in a moment of escape, faces contorted in a mix of fear and determination. The brushstrokes, bold yet tender, navigate the depths of despair, revealing not just what the fleeing souls had lost, but also their silent hopes for a better tomorrow.
Across the gallery wall, another piece tells a different yet equally haunting story. The bas-relief sculpture represents one of Daumier's first explorations into the theme of exile, a poignant reflection of his recurring concern for those cast away from their homelands. Crafted during a time of upheaval between 1848 and 1870, its form captures both the heartache and resilience of individuals uprooted. Though this particular piece may have drawn inspiration from the Polish Revolution or the insurrections in France, its specific origins remain shrouded in mystery.
What is clear, however, is that Daumier was not merely an observer of history; he was a compassionate commentator on the shared human experience. With every stroke and carve, he implores us to remember the struggles faced by those who flee—a reminder that beneath the surface of each tumultuous event, there lies the profound story of humanity’s quest for dignity and belonging.
About the artist
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