Artwork
Le coin des politiques
Le coin des politiques is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1864 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
This lithograph shows four men at a table. Each smokes a pipe. Their faces twist in talk—some serious, some laughing.
Daumier made this in 1864. He caught politicians off guard, not in suits but in loose shirts. The smoke hides their real moods.
Watch how the lines curl around their hands. It’s loose and quick—like they might jump up any second. Look up Daumier, Honoré next.
Overview
Honoré Daumier’s 1864 lithograph *Le coin des politiques* portrays four men gathered around a table, each holding a smoking pipe. The composition captures a moment of informal conversation, with the figures rendered in loose attire rather than formal dress, suggesting a candid glimpse into the private side of political life in mid‑19th‑century France.
Subject & Meaning
The four participants display a range of expressions—from solemnity to mirth—hinting at the varied tones of political debate. Their intertwined gestures and the curling smoke convey both camaraderie and the underlying tension that often accompanies discussions of governance, reflecting the complex social dynamics of French politics during the period.
Technique & Style
Executed in lithography, Daumier employs swift, flowing lines that outline the men’s hands, faces, and the billowing smoke. The immediacy of the drawing technique imparts a sense of movement, as if the figures might rise from their seats at any moment, while the contrast between dark ink and white space emphasizes facial features and the texture of the smoke.
History & Provenance
Created in 1864, the print belongs to Daumier’s series of socially observant works that often targeted public figures. Unlike his satirical caricatures, this piece presents the politicians in unguarded attire, allowing viewers a rare, unvarnished perspective on their private interactions. The lithograph has been held in several European collections since the late 19th century.
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.
