This is a drawing depicting two individuals in a dramatic scene with animals in the background. One person is shown with wide-open eyes and arms raised, seemingly elevated by an animal. The other person appears to have fallen to the ground, with arms outstretched. In the background, another person is riding a donkey while observing the scene. The background includes trees or bushes. The caption in French reads "Ah! Ciel maman maman! ah! Dieu ma fille, ma fille!" which translates to "Oh! Heaven mom mom! oh! God my daughter, my daughter!" The drawing employs strong contrasts and dynamic lines, characteristic of a satirical or caricature style, emphasizing exaggerated expressions and poses to convey emotions and humor.
Read the visual description

This is a drawing depicting two individuals in a dramatic scene with animals in the background. One person is shown with wide-open eyes and arms raised, seemingly elevated by an animal. The other person appears to have fallen to the ground, with arms outstretched. In the background, another person is riding a donkey while observing the scene. The background includes trees or bushes. The caption in French reads "Ah! Ciel maman maman! ah! Dieu ma fille, ma fille!" which translates to "Oh! Heaven mom mom! oh! God my daughter, my daughter!" The drawing employs strong contrasts and dynamic lines, characteristic of a satirical or caricature style, emphasizing exaggerated expressions and poses to convey emotions and humor.

National Gallery of Art · Print

Ah! Ciel maman maman ... Ah! Dieu ma fille ...

Honoré Daumier

Date
1845
Medium
lithograph
Dimensions
image: 10 5/8 x 9 3/16 in. (26.99 x 23.34 cm)
Classification
Print
Accession number
2015.143.991
Credit line
Corcoran Collection (Gift of Dr. Armand Hammer, 1983)
Time span
1826 to 1850
Department
CG-E

Subjects and terms

  • Woman
  • Horse
  • Figures

NGA object ID 173108. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.