Artwork
Monsieur Berryer devant sa glace ...
Monsieur Berryer devant sa glace ... is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1851 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Honoré Daumier’s 1851 lithograph presents a solitary figure positioned before a mirror, captured in a moment of quiet contemplation. The man, attired in a dark coat and cap, is rendered with a pronounced nose and full sideburns, while the surrounding surface bears a subtle, textured pattern that confines the scene to an intimate space.
Subject & Meaning
The work focuses on the act of self‑examination, inviting viewers to consider the private ritual of looking at one’s own reflection. The calm demeanor of the sitter, combined with the unadorned setting, suggests a pause from public life, emphasizing personal identity and introspection rather than narrative drama.
Technique & Style
Executed as a lithograph, Daumier employed the medium’s capacity for fine line work and tonal variation to delineate the figure’s features and the atmospheric background. The contrast between the dark clothing and the lighter, textured backdrop demonstrates his skill in manipulating the stone surface to achieve depth within a single‑color print.
Context
Created during a prolific period for Daumier, the image aligns with his broader interest in everyday subjects and social observation. While many of his works address public scenes and caricature, this piece turns inward, reflecting the artist’s occasional focus on solitary, domestic moments that reveal the quieter side of 19th‑century urban life.
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.
