Artwork
Il faut avouer que je viens d'avoir une ...
Il faut avouer que je viens d'avoir une ... is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1854 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Daumier shows five people on a cliff staring at a ship sinking into rough waves. One man in a top hat holds a spyglass to his eye.
This lithograph from 1854 feels urgent—Daumier used quick, scratchy lines to make the sea look alive. The cliff tilts toward us, like the group might slide right off.
It’s more than a storm scene. Look up Daumier, Honoré.
Overview
Created in 1854, this lithograph by Honoré Daumier presents a dramatic seascape where five figures stand upon a cliff, gazing down at a ship struggling amid turbulent waves. The composition draws the viewer’s eye from the precarious perch of the observers to the sinking vessel below, emphasizing the tension between land and sea.
Subject & Meaning
The group includes a man in a top hat who raises a spyglass toward the distressed ship, suggesting a blend of curiosity and concern. The work captures a moment of collective observation, hinting at themes of human vulnerability in the face of nature’s power and the spectacle of disaster.
Technique & Style
Daumier employs the lithographic medium with swift, scratchy strokes that convey the restless motion of the water. Horizontal lines ripple across the sea, while the tilted cliff plane adds a sense of instability, making the figures appear poised to slip forward.
History & Provenance
Executed in the mid‑nineteenth century, the print reflects Daumier’s interest in contemporary events and his skill in rendering narrative scenes quickly. It was produced during a period when the artist frequently explored social commentary through prints and caricatures.
Context
The lithograph aligns with Daumier’s broader oeuvre, which often combined keen observation of everyday life with a satirical edge. Though primarily known for his caricatures, this work demonstrates his capacity to address dramatic, non‑political subjects through the same energetic line work.
Artist & collection
Artist
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.
