Artwork

Fidèles aux vieux usages ...

Fidèles aux vieux usages ..., by Honoré Daumier, ink, 1852
Fidèles aux vieux usages ..., by Honoré Daumier, ink, 1852

Fidèles aux vieux usages ... is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1852 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

The artist paid attention to how people lived back then, which is interesting because it gives us a glimpse of what daily life was like.

This painting shows three people doing everyday tasks inside a home.
The scene looks like it's from the 19th century, with detailed lines and shading.
The artist paid attention to how people lived back then, which is interesting because it gives us a glimpse of what daily life was like.

The way the artist drew the people and their activities is very detailed, showing what they valued.
This kind of attention to detail helps us learn about the past.

You can learn more about this kind of artwork by looking into the technique: lithography.

Overview

Fidèles aux vieux usages, a lithograph by Honoré Daumier, presents a serene domestic interior where three figures are absorbed in everyday tasks, offering a glimpse into 19th-century European daily life.

Subject & Meaning

The scene captures the mundane routines of ordinary people, highlighting the artist's focus on depicting authentic, unromanticized aspects of contemporary life, thereby preserving a record of cultural practices.

Technique & Style

Executed in lithograph, the work showcases meticulous line work and nuanced shading, characteristic of 19th-century European illustrative traditions, emphasizing realism and attention to detail.

Context

Created during a time of social change, the piece reflects Daumier's propensity for observing and recording the lives of the common populace, contrasting with more glamorous or historical subjects prevalent at the time.

Legacy

While not widely recognized as a seminal work, 'Fidèles aux vieux usages' contributes to Daumier's broader oeuvre documenting 19th-century life, making it a valuable resource for historians and art enthusiasts interested in period daily 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.