Who painted 7 heures du matin?

7 heures du matin was painted by Honoré Daumier in 1839.

Where can I see 7 heures du matin?

7 heures du matin is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is 7 heures du matin?

7 heures du matin is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

7 heures du matin

Honoré Daumier , 1839

7 heures du matin is an ink 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, the lithograph titled *7 heures du matin* depicts a modest interior at early morning. A weary seated figure is attended by a standing man who offers a tray, his smile suggesting a light‑hearted interaction. The composition is rendered on newsprint, a common substrate for the mass‑circulated prints of the era.

Subject & Meaning

The scene captures a domestic moment that may be read as a gentle satire of daily routines, hinting at the social dynamics of service and labor. By placing the interaction at seven a.m., the artist underscores the early start of work life, while the exaggerated expressions convey a humorous critique of societal roles.

Technique & Style

Executed in lithography, the work utilizes the fluid, tonal qualities of the medium to render the dim lighting and texture of the room’s furnishings. The choice of newsprint as a support reflects the artist’s intent to produce images that could be reproduced quickly and disseminated widely through periodicals.

Context

Produced during a period of political turbulence in France, the print aligns with the artist’s broader practice of using caricature to comment on authority and social structures. While not overtly political, its subtle satire resonates with the republican sentiments that informed much of the creator’s output for newspapers such as *La Caricature* and *Le Charivari*.

Artist & collection

Artist

Honoré Daumier

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.