Artwork
Mois, mon avis est ...
Mois, mon avis est ... is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1857 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Honoré Daumée’s lithograph “Mois, mon avis est …” presents a close‑up of two men, shown from the knees upward, locked in a silent exchange.
About this work
Overview
Honoré Daumée’s lithograph “Mois, mon avis est …” presents a close‑up of two men, shown from the knees upward, locked in a silent exchange. The composition is confined to their heads and shoulders, set against a faintly rendered outdoor backdrop that suggests a street or garden scene. The work captures a moment of tension through contrasting expressions and gestures.
Subject & Meaning
The figure on the left, topped by a high‑crowned hat, displays an open‑mouth, startled expression, while the right‑hand man, also hat‑clad, holds a cigarette and maintains a composed, slightly mischievous look. Their mirrored postures and the meeting of their shoulders imply a heated, perhaps mundane, dispute—an everyday confrontation that Daumier often used to comment on social interaction.
Technique & Style
Executed in lithography, the image relies on the medium’s capacity for fine line work and tonal variation. Daumier’s use of swift, decisive strokes creates a soft, sketch‑like background that recedes, allowing the sharply defined faces to dominate. The contrast between the crisp detailing of the hats and the looser rendering of the setting heightens the immediacy of the scene.
Context
Daumier frequently employed brief, incisive prints to satirize Parisian life, targeting both public figures and ordinary citizens. This piece aligns with his broader practice of depicting informal, often confrontational moments among city dwellers, reflecting the artist’s interest in the small dramas that animate everyday urban existence.
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.
