Artwork

Eh! bien monsieur et mes trois termes...

Eh! bien monsieur et mes trois termes..., by Honoré Daumier, ink, 1848
Eh! bien monsieur et mes trois termes..., by Honoré Daumier, ink, 1848

Eh! bien monsieur et mes trois termes... is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1848 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Eh!

About this work

Overview

Eh! bien monsieur et mes trois termes... is a lithograph created by French artist Honoré Daumier in 1848. It is a print that showcases Daumier's skill as a satirical artist and his engagement with the social and political issues of his time.

Subject & Meaning

The lithograph depicts two men in conversation, with one wearing a tall black hat and dark attire, and the other in a lighter coat. The tense atmosphere and serious demeanor of the figures suggest a significant or confrontational discussion, likely commenting on the political climate of 1840s France.

Technique & Style

As a lithograph, Eh! bien monsieur et mes trois termes... demonstrates Daumier's proficiency in printmaking. The work is characteristic of his satirical style, which often targeted the French monarchy, aristocracy, and clergy, reflecting his republican democratic views.

History & Provenance

Created in 1848, a year of significant upheaval in France, this lithograph is a product of Daumier's contributions to publications like La Caricature and Le Charivari, where he frequently published his caricatures and social commentary.

Context

The lithograph is set against the backdrop of France's tumultuous political landscape in the mid-19th century, with Daumier's work reflecting the artist's engagement with and critique of the social and political status quo.

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.