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La Mort de Sappho, 1843. Creator: Honore Daumier
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La Mort de Sappho, 1843. Creator: Honore Daumier
La Mort de Sappho, 1843. The death of Sappho. Jeunes filles, voyez ou nous conduit l'Amour! Sous nos pieds si mignons, le gueux creuse un abime Ou l'on tombe aisement, car du plaisir au crime Le chemin est bigrement court'. (Mlle Esther, poesies morales). Young girls, see where Love leads us! Beneath our little feet, the beggar digs an abyss into which we fall easily, because from pleasure to crime the path is damned short'. (Mademoiselle Esther, moral poems). The poet Sappho, with a hooked nose and straggly hair, is pushed off a cliff by Cupid. From L'Histoire ancienne
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Media ID 36353128
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Allegorical Amorini Angelic Bare Feet Cherubim Cherubs Cliff Cliffs Cupid Danger Dangerous Daumier Honore Daumier Honore Victorin Feet Foot Funny H Daumier Honore Daumier Honore Victorin Daumier Lithographic Misogynistic Misogyny Peril Pushing Sappho Sexism Sexist
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EDITORS COMMENTS
La Mort de Sappho," a captivating lithograph by the renowned French artist Honore Daumier, painted in 1843, presents a striking allegory of the perils of love. The image depicts the ancient Greek poet Sappho, characterized by her distinctive hooked nose and disheveled hair, being pushed off a cliff by an amorous Cupid. The scene is set against the backdrop of a rugged cliffside, with the poet's bare feet dangling precariously over the edge. The title of the work is derived from a line in one of Mademoiselle Esther's moral poems, which reads, "Young girls, see where Love leads us! Beneath our little feet, the beggar digs an abyss into which we fall easily, because from pleasure to crime the path is damned short." This quote encapsulates the essence of the allegory, as Sappho, once an embodiment of love and passion, is now being led to her demise by the very force she once celebrated. Surrounding Sappho are a group of cherubs, or putti, symbolizing the angelic and playful aspects of love. However, their presence only serves to heighten the contrast between the joyful and dangerous sides of love, as Sappho is pushed towards the abyss. The use of black and white in this lithograph adds to the overall sense of drama and contrast, making for a visually striking and thought-provoking piece. Daumier's "La Mort de Sappho" is a masterful example of allegorical art, combining wit, satire, and a touch of misogyny to explore the complexities of love and its potential dangers. This iconic work is a must-see for anyone interested in the history of art, particularly in the 19th century and the artistic school of lithography. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is proud to house this important piece in its collection, allowing visitors to appreciate the artistic brilliance and historical significance of Honore Daumier's "La Mort de Sappho.
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