Le mardi gras

Executed in lithography, Daumier employs loose, gestural lines that convey immediacy and movement. The stark black‑and‑white palette emphasizes contour and expression, while the exaggerated physiognomy aligns with his broader satirical approach to Parisian life. The rapid, sketch‑like quality underscores the spontaneity of carnival encounters.

Created in the early phase of Daumier’s career, the lithograph was produced during a period when he regularly contributed to satirical journals. Though specific ownership records are limited, the print has been catalogued among his extensive series of social commentaries on mid‑nineteenth‑century Paris.