Artwork

Le mari. Bobonne veux-tu l'étrenne de ma barbe?

Le mari. Bobonne veux-tu l'étrenne de ma barbe?, by Honoré Daumier, ink, 1840
Le mari. Bobonne veux-tu l'étrenne de ma barbe?, by Honoré Daumier, ink, 1840

Le mari. Bobonne veux-tu l'étrenne de ma barbe? is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1840 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Le mari.

About this work

Overview

Le mari. Bobonne veux-tu l'étrenne de ma barbe? is a lithograph by Honoré Daumier, capturing a domestic moment between a standing man and a seated woman, with the man gesturing towards his chin in apparent inquiry.

Subject & Meaning

The scene depicts a conversational exchange, likely about the man's beard, as suggested by the title's reference to an 'étrenne' (a New Year's gift or first fruits). The interaction conveys the dynamics of a 19th-century French domestic relationship, with Daumier using the scene to comment on everyday life.

Technique & Style

Executed in lithography, a technique allowing for wide dissemination, the work features Daumier's characteristic exaggerated facial features, blending humor with social commentary. This stylistic choice enhances the scene's narrative and satirical elements.

Context

Created in 19th-century France, the lithograph reflects Daumier's interest in portraying the daily lives and interactions of ordinary people, often with a satirical or humorous lens, speaking to the social and cultural climate of his time.

Legacy

As part of Daumier's oeuvre, the work contributes to his legacy as a keen observer of human interaction and a master of satirical commentary, continuing to provide insight into 19th-century French society and the artist's unique visual approach.

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.