Artwork

Deux bons voisins

Deux bons voisins, by Honoré Daumier, ink, 1847
Deux bons voisins, by Honoré Daumier, ink, 1847

Deux bons voisins is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1847 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Deux bons voisins is a lithograph created by French artist Honoré Daumier in 1847. The print captures a scene of two men engaged in conversation outside a wall, set against a natural backdrop of trees and bushes.

Subject & Meaning

Contrary to Daumier's typical satirical depictions of authority figures, this work portrays a cordial interaction between two ordinary individuals, suggesting a theme of amicable neighborhood relations rather than social commentary.

Technique & Style

Executed in lithograph, a medium Daumier frequently used for its accessibility to a broad audience, the piece reflects his characteristic expressive line work, though here applied to a serene, everyday scene.

History & Provenance

Produced in 1847, during Daumier's active period of contributing to periodicals like *La Caricature* and *Le Charivari*, the lithograph aligns with his republican and democratic leanings, yet stands out for its lack of overt satire.

Context

While much of Daumier's work from this era critiqued figures of power, *Deux bons voisins* offers a glimpse into his capacity to depict ordinary, positive human interactions, potentially reflecting a desire to also highlight harmony among the common populace.

Legacy

This lithograph, while not a hallmark of Daumier's satirical genius, contributes to the broader understanding of his artistic range and ability to capture the mundane aspects of 19th-century French life.

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.