Who painted Le Cordon donc!...?

Le Cordon donc!... was painted by Honoré Daumier in 1847.

Where can I see Le Cordon donc!...?

Le Cordon donc!... is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Le Cordon donc!...?

Le Cordon donc!... is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Le Cordon donc!...

Honoré Daumier , 1847

Le Cordon donc!... 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. Created in 1847, this lithograph by Honoré Daumée, titled *Le Cordon donc!

About this work

Overview

…*, presents a modest interior scene in which two men converse—one seated, night‑capped and cloaked, the other leaning through an open window.

Created in 1847, this lithograph by Honoré Daumée, titled *Le Cordon donc!…*, presents a modest interior scene in which two men converse—one seated, night‑capped and cloaked, the other leaning through an open window. The composition is rendered in the stark contrasts of a lithographic print, emphasizing the dim lighting, a small table, and a pot that anchor the figures within a quiet domestic space.

Subject & Meaning

The work captures a moment of subdued dialogue between the seated figure and the visitor outside, suggesting a private exchange that may allude to broader social or political discussions. Daumée’s reputation for satire implies that the seemingly ordinary encounter could be read as a commentary on contemporary French society, hinting at the tensions between public discourse and private contemplation.

Technique & Style

Executed as a lithograph, the image relies on bold line work and tonal variation to convey depth and atmosphere. Daumée’s characteristic use of exaggerated gestures and simplified forms is evident, while the limited palette of black and white underscores the chiaroscuro effect, creating a sense of intimacy within the cramped interior.

History & Provenance

Daumée produced the print during a prolific period of political caricature, contributing regularly to satirical journals such as *La Caricature* and *Le Charivari*. Though the specific publication venue for this lithograph is not recorded, its creation aligns with the artist’s broader output that critiqued the monarchy and clergy in the years between the 1830 Revolution and the later fall of the Second Empire.

Context

The mid‑nineteenth‑century French press was a battleground for republican ideas, and Daumée’s prints served as visual arguments in that arena. By embedding a seemingly mundane domestic scene with potential political subtext, the lithograph reflects the era’s climate of censorship and the artist’s commitment to using humor and everyday imagery to engage public opinion.

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.