Who painted Hotel de la Marine?

Hotel de la Marine was painted by Honoré Daumier in 1844.

Where can I see Hotel de la Marine?

Hotel de la Marine is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Hotel de la Marine?

Hotel de la Marine is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Hotel de la Marine

Honoré Daumier , 1844

Hotel de la Marine is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1844 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Honoré Daumier’s 1844 lithograph entitled *Hotel de la Marine* presents a compact scene limited to the upper bodies of two standing figures. Rendered in black and white, the print captures a moment of interaction between a European gentleman in a dark coat and a stout individual dressed in traditional Chinese robes, each shown from the knees upward.

Subject & Meaning

The composition juxtaposes Western and Eastern dress, suggesting a commentary on cultural encounter or misunderstanding. The European figure clutches a sheet of paper—perhaps a letter, invoice, or notice—while the Chinese‑clad man faces him directly, their differing attire underscoring a visual contrast that hints at satire or social observation typical of Daumier’s work.

Technique & Style

Executed in lithography, Daumier employed the medium’s capacity for swift, expressive line work. The artist’s use of bold, gestural strokes and stark chiaroscuro creates a sense of immediacy, while the fine detailing of the garments demonstrates his facility with the stone‑based process. The print’s economy of form reflects Daumier’s penchant for rapid, incisive sketches.

History & Provenance

Created in 1844, the lithograph was produced during a prolific period when Daumier was actively publishing political and social caricatures. While specific ownership records are limited, the work has been catalogued among his early prints and appears in several collections of 19th‑century French graphic art, illustrating his engagement with contemporary cultural themes.

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.