The artwork entitled “The Beautiful Narcissus” by Honoré Daumier, created in 1842, is a lithograph that falls under the Realism art movement and the caricature genre. It forms part of the “Ancient History” series and is currently housed at the Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF) in Paris, France.
The artwork depicts a solitary, almost ethereal figure, Narcissus, who is leaning over the edge of a cliff, deeply engrossed in his own reflection in the water below. The figure is adorned with a floral crown, suggesting a connection to nature and mythology. The lithograph captures the dark, shadowy atmosphere of the scene, emphasizing the reflective surface of the water and the starkness of the rocky surroundings. Daumier’s intricate line work and shading technique create a somber and introspective mood, underscoring the narcissistic theme that is central to this depiction.
