Who painted Monsieur sera très bien ici...?

Monsieur sera très bien ici... was painted by Honoré Daumier in 1870.

Where can I see Monsieur sera très bien ici...?

Monsieur sera très bien ici... is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Monsieur sera très bien ici...?

Monsieur sera très bien ici... is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Monsieur sera très bien ici...

Honoré Daumier , 1870

Monsieur sera très bien ici... is a print by the Impressionist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1870 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1870, this gillotage print on newsprint depicts a modest interior occupied by two men.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1870, this gillotage print on newsprint depicts a modest interior occupied by two men. One figure, dressed in a dark coat and hat, holds a cane and stands rigidly, while the other leans against a doorway with crossed arms, his posture suggesting impatience or irritation. The sparse setting, flat lighting and minimal background emphasize the interaction between the two characters.

Subject & Meaning

The composition captures a moment of everyday tension, likely intended as a satirical comment on social attitudes of the time. By presenting the figures in an unadorned space, the artist draws attention to their gestures and expressions, hinting at a broader critique of complacency or authority within French society during a period of political unrest.

Technique & Style

Executed with quick, sketchy lines characteristic of Daumier’s printmaking, the gillotage method allows for swift tonal variation on cheap newsprint. The artist eschews fine detail in favor of expressive strokes, creating a flat, shadowy atmosphere that reinforces the mood of the scene. This economical approach reflects the immediacy of newspaper illustration.

History & Provenance

Honoré Daumier, a prolific French satirist, produced the work amid the upheavals surrounding the fall of the Second Empire. Though originally intended for a periodical, the print has survived as a standalone piece, illustrating Daumier’s ongoing engagement with republican ideas and his frequent contributions to publications such as La Caricature and Le Charivari.

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.