Artwork
11 heures du matin
11 heures du matin is a crayon print by the Romanticist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1839 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1839, *11 heures du matin* is a black crayon lithograph on wove paper by Honoré Daumier. The work belongs to the artist’s prolific output of socially charged prints produced during the July Monarchy, a period marked by political tension and rapid urban change in France.
Subject & Meaning
The image captures a well‑dressed gentleman in a top hat and long coat, strolling with a leashed dog. He clutches a sheet of paper or cloth, while his coat billows open, suggesting movement. The accompanying title, *La Journée du Célibataire* (The Bachelor’s Day), hints at a humorous observation of solitary urban life and the rituals of the middle class.
Technique & Style
Daumier employed crayon lithography, a process that allows rapid, gestural drawing directly onto the lithographic stone. The resulting lines are loose and sketch‑like, conveying immediacy. The use of wove paper provides a smooth surface that accentuates the fine black strokes, characteristic of Daumier’s satirical prints.
History & Provenance
The print was produced for circulation in popular periodicals such as *La Caricature* and *Le Charivari*, venues through which Daumier disseminated his political and social commentary. Like many of his works, it was widely distributed in the 19th‑century French print market, reaching a broad audience beyond elite patrons.
Context
During the July Monarchy (1830‑1848), Daumier turned his attention to the everyday scenes of Parisian life, using humor to critique the emerging bourgeoisie and the lingering influence of the aristocracy and clergy. This lithograph exemplifies his focus on ordinary moments as a mirror for broader societal attitudes.
Legacy
*11 heures du matin* illustrates Daumier’s mastery of the lithographic medium as a tool for rapid, mass‑produced commentary. The work continues to be studied for its blend of spontaneous drawing and incisive social observation, influencing later generations of caricaturists and printmakers.
Artist & collection
Artist
Honoré-Victorin Daumier was a French painter, sculptor, and printmaker, whose many works offer commentary on the social and political life in France, from the Revolution of 1830 to the fall of the Second French Empire in 1870.
