Artwork

Inconvénient de visiter sans précaution un entresol...

Inconvénient de visiter sans précaution un entresol..., by Honoré Daumier, ink, 1847
Inconvénient de visiter sans précaution un entresol..., by Honoré Daumier, ink, 1847

Inconvénient de visiter sans précaution un entresol... is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1847 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Inconvénient de visiter sans précaution un entresol.

About this work

Overview

Inconvénient de visiter sans précaution un entresol... is a lithograph created by Honoré Daumier in 1847, exemplifying his satirical approach to social commentary.

Subject & Meaning

The piece depicts a cautionary scene of two individuals in a dim, rough-halled entresol, conveying a message of unexpected encounter or surprise, likely commenting on the hazards of navigating unfamiliar or unprepared living spaces, characteristic of Daumier's critique of everyday life.

Technique & Style

Daumier employed exaggerated figures, sharp visual humor, and quick, rough lines to capture movement and tension, reflecting the emphasis on everyday drama over polished aesthetics prevalent during this period.

History & Provenance

Created during a time of French social upheaval, this lithograph was part of Daumier's work for newspapers like *La Caricature* and *Le Charivari*, targeting the monarchy, aristocracy, and clergy with satirical critique.

Context

Produced between the 1830 Revolution and the fall of the Second Empire, the work is situated within Daumier's broader commentary on French society, using satire to address social ills.

Legacy

As part of Daumier's prolific satirical printmaking, *Inconvénient de visiter sans précaution un entresol...* contributes to his legacy as a keen observer and critic of 19th-century French societal norms and challenges.

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.