Artwork

Ne l'effraye pas Eudoxie...

Ne l'effraye pas Eudoxie..., by Honoré Daumier, ink, 1846
Ne l'effraye pas Eudoxie..., by Honoré Daumier, ink, 1846

Ne l'effraye pas Eudoxie... is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1846 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Honoré Daumier’s 1846 lithograph Ne l’effraye pas Eudoxie presents a quiet domestic scene. Two figures sit side by side, their faces illuminated by a gentle light that draws attention to subtle expressions. The composition balances the intimacy of the seated pair with a softly rendered background, creating a moment that feels both personal and observational.

Subject & Meaning

The work captures a fleeting interaction between a man in a tall hat and a woman wearing a loose headscarf. Though their postures are relaxed, their faces convey a restrained tension, suggesting an unspoken dialogue or emotional undercurrent. Daumier’s focus on individual character invites viewers to contemplate the inner lives of ordinary people.

Technique & Style

Executed in lithography, the image was drawn with greasy ink on a flat stone surface, allowing Daumier to work with the immediacy of a sketch while producing a durable print. The line work is expressive, and the tonal variations create a textured landscape that frames the figures without overwhelming them.

History & Provenance

Created in 1846, the lithograph belongs to Daumier’s early period of socially observant prints. While specific ownership records are limited, the piece has been held in several public collections that focus on 19th‑century French graphic art, reflecting its relevance to studies of everyday life in that era.

Context

Daumier produced numerous lithographs that documented contemporary French society, often emphasizing the nuances of ordinary encounters. This work aligns with that practice, using a modest domestic setting to explore broader themes of human interaction and emotional restraint prevalent in mid‑19th‑century urban life.

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.