Artwork

9 heures du soir

9 heures du soir, by Honoré Daumier, crayon, 1839
9 heures du soir, by Honoré Daumier, crayon, 1839

9 heures du soir 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

9 heures du soir is a crayon lithograph created by Honoré Daumier in 1839. The print depicts a nighttime scene in a dimly lit bedroom.

Subject & Meaning

The lithograph shows two figures in bed, one sitting up with a lantern, the other lying under the covers. The title, translating to '9 o'clock in the evening', suggests a commentary on solitude or bachelor life, reflecting Daumier's satirical interest in contemporary social issues.

Technique & Style

Daumier employed lithography, using quick, sketchy lines to convey the mood of the scene. The technique allowed for expressive and spontaneous renderings, characteristic of his satirical style.

Context

The print is part of Daumier's extensive output during the July Monarchy, a period in which he critiqued social hierarchies and power structures through satire in publications like La Caricature and Le Charivari.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Honoré Daumier

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.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.