Artwork

Adieu, mon cher, je vais chez mes éditeurs...

Adieu, mon cher, je vais chez mes éditeurs..., by Honoré Daumier, ink, 1844
Adieu, mon cher, je vais chez mes éditeurs..., by Honoré Daumier, ink, 1844

Adieu, mon cher, je vais chez mes éditeurs... is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1844 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Adieu, mon cher, je vais chez mes éditeurs.

About this work

Overview

Adieu, mon cher, je vais chez mes éditeurs... is a 1844 lithograph by Honoré Daumier, a French artist renowned for his satirical works in various mediums. This print exemplifies his critical perspective on contemporary society.

Subject & Meaning

The lithograph depicts a poignant domestic scene: a woman, with her back turned and carrying a bundle, bids farewell to an older man seated at a simple table, engrossed in an object. The composition suggests a quiet, possibly sorrowful moment of separation.

Technique & Style

Daumier employed quick, expressive lines characteristic of lithography, conveying movement and emotional depth. The sketchy quality of the work enhances the sense of intimacy and immediacy in the depicted scene.

History & Provenance

Created in 1844, this lithograph aligns with Daumier's period of prolific production for satirical publications like *La Caricature* and *Le Charivari*. Its exact provenance is not detailed here, reflecting the focus on the work's creation context.

Context

This work reflects Daumier's republican and democratic sympathies, positioning it within the broader context of mid-19th-century French social and political satire, where such artworks served as vehicles for social commentary.

Legacy

While specific lasting impacts of *Adieu, mon cher...* are not outlined, it contributes to Daumier's legacy as a leading figure in 19th-century French satire, influencing subsequent generations of artists and caricaturists.

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.