Who painted Elle est encore très bien, cette dame ...?

Elle est encore très bien, cette dame ... was painted by Honoré Daumier in 1864.

Where can I see Elle est encore très bien, cette dame ...?

Elle est encore très bien, cette dame ... is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Elle est encore très bien, cette dame ...?

Elle est encore très bien, cette dame ... is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Elle est encore très bien, cette dame ...

Honoré Daumier , 1864

Elle est encore très bien, cette dame ... is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1864 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Honoré Daumée’s lithograph titled “Elle est encore très bien, cette dame …” captures a brief street scene in which two elderly men occupy a bench, engaged in animated conversation, while a woman sits apart, turned away from them. The composition centers on the interaction among the figures, offering a snapshot of everyday social exchange in a 19th‑century urban setting.

Subject & Meaning

The two men are rendered with pronounced facial features—bulging noses, deep lines, and expressive gestures—that accentuate their age and character. Their lively dialogue, juxtaposed with the solitary, back‑facing woman, suggests a moment of gossip or communal chatter, hinting at Daumier’s interest in the nuances of public life and interpersonal dynamics.

Technique & Style

Executed in lithography, Daumier drew directly onto a smooth limestone surface with greasy ink, then transferred the image onto paper through a press. This method allowed him to preserve the immediacy of a pencil sketch while producing multiple copies. The exaggerated caricature of the figures aligns with his broader satirical approach, emphasizing personality through distortion.

History & Provenance

Created during Daumier’s prolific mid‑19th‑century period, the print reflects his ongoing engagement with contemporary Parisian scenes. While specific exhibition records are scarce, the work has circulated among collectors of French lithography and appears in several museum holdings that specialize in 19th‑century printmaking, underscoring its relevance to studies of social realism.

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.