Faisons semblant de dormier ...

Executed in lithography, the print showcases Daumier’s command of line and tonal variation to convey intricate decorative motifs and the subtle modeling of flesh. The medium allows for delicate gradations that render the rich textures of upholstery and wall coverings, while the crisp outlines preserve the immediacy of the figures’ relaxed postures.

Created during a period when Daumier was expanding beyond caricature into more nuanced genre scenes, this lithograph reflects contemporary interest in modern life’s private moments. The possible reference to railway travel aligns with mid‑nineteenth‑century fascination with new modes of mobility and the accompanying shifts in social spaces.