Sunrise (Le Lever du soleil)

Daumier employed traditional etching methods, incising lines into a metal plate to render delicate tonal variations. The print demonstrates his interest in atmospheric effects, using fine hatching and varied line density to model light and depth. The handling of line conveys a loose, expressive quality that aligns with his broader landscape practice.

Daumier, linked to the Barbizon school and regarded as a forerunner of Impressionism, produced this work during a period of experimentation with print media. While specific ownership records are limited, the etching forms part of his early output that explored natural light, a theme he pursued throughout his career.

The 1850s marked a shift toward realism and direct observation in French art. Daumier’s *Sunrise* reflects this trend, focusing on everyday scenery rather than historical or mythological subjects. Its emphasis on light and atmosphere anticipates later developments that would culminate in Impressionist approaches to landscape.