英雄画家杜米埃
Heroic Painter Daumier
杜米埃是法国有名的画家，由于他以毕生精力贡献于民主，敢于向丑恶的现实攻击，以画笔当作枪杆去打击暴政，憎恨贵族，同情平民的痛苦，因此人们称他为“画家战士”。
这位“画家战士”生于1808年在马赛的一个玻璃工人家里，他的父亲虽然是一个工人，可是对诗却很有兴趣，工余便写诗，并且带了杜米埃，来往于巴黎马赛之间，巴黎不但风景如画，而且有一些美术馆，里面陈列的美术品吸引了杜米埃，使他发生浓厚的绘画兴趣。
他的父亲本来是不打算让儿子去当画家的，因为家中很穷，必须着杜米埃去当学徒，以维持生活。可是杜米埃受不了别人的呼喝，偷偷地逃跑回家。这是父亲才了解儿子的兴趣所在。
不久杜米埃在一家书店中工作得到机会看到一些书本中的插画，与空便学习，可是这并不能满足他的欲望。
以后他得到一家博物馆的工作职位，这真使他高兴极了，因为在那里他可看到无数的艺术品和标本，并且有机会跟随别人临摹人体塑像和油画，杜米埃刻苦用功，学得不少的绘画技术。
这时他已渐为人们赏识，离开博物院后，就开始以画为生，由于他出身平民，又经常和平民接近，因此他特别了解和同情民间的疾苦。当时法国政府专制压榨人民，贵族生活奢侈糜烂，这种情形使杜米埃大为愤怒，就利用绘画来攻击暴政讽刺贵族，反映平民生活，得到人们的称赞。
在杜米埃描绘给平民生活的画中，有一幅名叫“三等客车”的，很是有名。画中是一列三等客车的火车厢里暗沉沉的窗子，透过来的光射在人们的枯椊的面孔上，有的疲倦在睡，有的抱着孩子在喂奶，脸孔上都刻画着痛苦的痕迹，这就是当时法国所谓“三等人物”的生活。
另外一幅名画题为“巴黎街头的虐杀”是纪念法国革命时，英雄的事迹和暴君的血海深仇。
杜米埃以大无畏的精神，完成许多讽刺当时黑暗政治的名画，触怒了国王，将他关在牢狱里，可是杜米埃并不因此而退缩，出狱后他以绘画来参加战斗的勇气更大了，成为一个使人崇敬的英雄。
公元一八七九年杜米埃去世，享年七十一岁。
-------------------------------------
Honoré Victorin Daumier, a renowned French painter, dedicated his life to democracy, fearlessly attacking the harsh realities of his time with his brush, which he wielded like a weapon against tyranny. He despised the nobility and empathized with the suffering of the common people, earning him the title of "Painter Warrior."
This "Painter Warrior" was born in Marseille on February 26, 1808, into the family of a glassworker. Though his father was a laborer, he had a keen interest in poetry and would occasionally write poems. He often traveled between Paris and Marseille, exposing young Daumier to the picturesque landscapes of Paris and the art treasures displayed in some of its museums. This exposure ignited Daumier's deep interest in art.
Initially, his father did not intend for him to become an artist, primarily due to the family's financial struggles. Instead, he wanted Daumier to become an apprentice to secure their livelihood. However, Daumier couldn't tolerate the harsh treatment he received as an apprentice, prompting him to run away and return home. It was then that his father realized his son's true passion.
In due course, Daumier found employment in a bookstore, where he had the opportunity to see illustrations in books and started to learn on his own. However, this was not enough to satisfy his artistic aspirations.
Later, he secured a job at a museum, which delighted him immensely. In the museum, he could observe numerous works of art and specimens, and he had the chance to copy human sculptures and paintings. Daumier diligently applied himself to study and honed his painting skills.
As he began to be recognized by others, Daumier left the museum and started making a living through painting. His humble origins and close association with common people gave him unique insight into their struggles. During this time, the French government was oppressive, the nobility lived extravagantly, and Daumier, filled with anger, used his art to criticize the authorities, satirize the aristocracy, and depict the lives of ordinary citizens, earning him public acclaim.
One of Daumier's most famous works depicting the life of common people was titled "Third-Class Carriage." The painting depicted a dimly lit railway carriage with sunlight streaming through the windows, illuminating the tired faces of passengers. Some were asleep, while others were nursing infants. All their faces bore traces of suffering, depicting the life of what was known in France as the "third-class people."
Another renowned painting titled "The Massacre in the Streets of Paris" commemorated the heroic acts and deep enmity against tyranny during the French Revolution.
Daumier, with his fearless spirit, created numerous satirical works that criticized the dark politics of his time. His audacity angered the king, who imprisoned him. However, this setback did not deter Daumier. Upon his release, he returned to the fight with even greater courage, becoming a revered hero.
Honoré Daumier passed away in 1879 at the age of seventy-one.