Who painted Oui, Monsieur, votre air respectable m'enhardit...?

Oui, Monsieur, votre air respectable m'enhardit... was painted by Honoré Daumier in 1840.

Where can I see Oui, Monsieur, votre air respectable m'enhardit...?

Oui, Monsieur, votre air respectable m'enhardit... is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Oui, Monsieur, votre air respectable m'enhardit...?

Oui, Monsieur, votre air respectable m'enhardit... is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Oui, Monsieur, votre air respectable m'enhardit...

Honoré Daumier , 1840

Oui, Monsieur, votre air respectable m'enhardit... 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. Created in 1840, this lithograph on newsprint bears the French title *Oui, Monsieur, votre air respectable m'enhardit.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1840, this lithograph on newsprint bears the French title *Oui, Monsieur, votre air respectable m'enhardit...*. The work depicts a formal exchange between two gentlemen, each wearing a top hat, set against a light, unadorned background that concentrates the viewer’s attention on the figures and their dialogue.

Subject & Meaning

The scene presents a conversation between a younger, possibly assertive figure on the left and an older, dignified counterpart on the right. The title, translating to “Yes, sir, your respectable air encourages me,” hints at a tone of deference or irony, aligning with Daumier’s habit of using dialogue to critique social hierarchies.

Technique & Style

Executed as a lithograph, the image relies on the contrast between bold line work and the soft, neutral paper tone. Daumier’s characteristic caricatural exaggeration appears in the figures’ posture and attire, while the limited palette underscores the satirical focus rather than decorative detail.

Context

At the time of its production, Daumier was contributing to satirical journals such as *La Caricature* and *Le Charivari*. His prints often targeted the French monarchy, aristocracy, and clergy, reflecting his republican sympathies during a period of political turbulence in the July Monarchy.

Legacy

Although modest in medium, the lithograph exemplifies Daumier’s role in shaping 19th‑century political satire. Its straightforward composition and incisive humor continue to illustrate how print media could convey dissent and influence public opinion in pre‑photographic France.

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.