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Honoré-Victorin Daumier

Hercules Tamed By Love. This mischievous God in his triumphant ways subjects all, kings, shepherds, heroes and gays, Alcide interrupts his dreaded exploits and binds him while Omphale overjoys. (Gallant poetry by Monsieur Sauzet), plate 25 from Histoire Ancienne

1842
Lithograph in black on white wove paper
25.2 × 20.8 cm (9.9 × 8.2 in)

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Not currently on view

In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026

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FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

Despite the skepticism artists such as Delacroix felt toward the importance of antiquity to modern painting, Daumier’s prints made ancient lives newly relevant as well as superbly humorous. In December 1841 Charivari announced the artist’s new series: “We have sent Monsieur Daumier to Greece, alone and without any scientific support. He worked day and night to reveal the Greek soul of the past. . . . Daumier brings antiquity back to us.” The three Historie Ancienne (Stories from Antiquity) prints on view in this gallery show that love in Ancient Greece was just as forceful and complicated as in 19th- century life—with images ranging from this enamored, subservient Hercules to a suicidal Sappho.

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More by Honoré-Victorin Daumier

Two LawyersTwo LawyersThe Print CollectorThe Print CollectorExploiting friendship. “My dear Alphonse, I've invited these gentlemen, my friends, to dine at your home. I would like them to taste our champagne, we'll laugh... wait a minute! I've an idea. What if we went to the wood? We could take your barouche and you could lend us some clothes as we only came to pay a simple visite... In the meantime, why don't you give us some cards and some Napoleons to pass the time. Eh? My good Alphonse, dear chap. How about it?,” plate 58 from CaricaturanaExploiting friendship. “My dear Alphonse, I've invited theseRobert: “- Well, well! My dear director... how's business?” Bertrand: “- Good, very good, I am quite content. Unfortunately we don't have a penny to continue! - Oh blast! - But an investor still owes us 200,000 Francs... and will come up for signature either tonight or latest tomorrow morning. - About time... I urgently need a new pair of boots,” plate 6 from Robert MacaireRobert: “- Well, well! My dear director... how's business?” Mr. Prune, plate 288 from Célébrités de la CaricatureMr. Prune, plate 288 from Célébrités de la Caricature“God! How I loved that fellow there!,” plate 16 from Caricatures Politiques“God! How I loved that fellow there!,” plate 16 from CaricatA Victim of His Own Politeness, plate 7 from Croquis MusicauxA Victim of His Own Politeness, plate 7 from Croquis MusicauA Candidate. “Who do you want?... An upright, conscientious, sober man, an industrialist, a man who doesn't need the government to enrich himself, a man familiar with the law, who knows it well, through practice, very long practice... a long practice of law... you can't choose any better than... my honorable friend,” plate 48 from CaricaturanaA Candidate. “Who do you want?... An upright, conscientious,

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