Vue prise dans un atelier ... c. 19th century

This satirical lithograph by Honoré Daumier, titled "Vue prise dans un atelier ...," captures the disappointment of artists whose work was rejected from the 1867 Paris Universal Exposition. The scene depicts two artists in an atelier, dejectedly contemplating their rejected canvases, marked with the word "Refusé." Daumier's use of simple lines and shading conveys the somber mood of the artists, highlighting the harsh reality of artistic rejection and the power of official art institutions. This lithograph, created during Daumier's prolific career, is a poignant commentary on the social and economic anxieties of the art world, offering a glimpse into the lives of struggling artists and their struggle for recognition.