Artwork

Parisiens regrettant vivement...

Parisiens regrettant vivement..., by Honoré Daumier, ink, 1852
Parisiens regrettant vivement..., by Honoré Daumier, ink, 1852

Parisiens regrettant vivement... is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1852 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Honoré Daumier’s 1852 lithograph *Parisiens regrettant vivement…* captures a rainy train carriage packed with passengers. The composition shows a wet, cramped interior where a top‑hat‑wearing man leans out a window, his expression forlorn, while others huddle together, some peering through the storm‑filled panes.

Subject & Meaning

The work humorously depicts Parisians caught unprepared for a seaside excursion, their lack of umbrellas underscored by the title’s lament. By portraying the discomfort of ordinary travelers, Daumier subtly comments on the broader anxieties of urban life and the unpredictability of modern travel.

Technique & Style

Executed in lithography, the image relies on rapid, sketch‑like lines that convey movement and immediacy. Daumier’s loose drawing technique emphasizes the chaotic atmosphere, while the stark contrasts of dark interior and rain‑streaked windows heighten the sense of claustrophobia.

History & Provenance

Created during a period of intense political turbulence in France, the lithograph was produced while Daumier contributed caricatures to satirical journals such as *La Caricature* and *Le Charivari*. These publications provided a platform for his critiques of the monarchy, aristocracy, and clergy, aligning the print with his broader republican sympathies.

Context

The mid‑19th century saw rapid expansion of railway networks, transforming travel for the French middle class. Daumier’s scene reflects contemporary concerns about the comforts and perils of this new mobility, situating the everyday mishap within the larger social changes of the era.

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.