Artwork

Qui aime Bertrand aime son chien

Qui aime Bertrand aime son chien, by Honoré Daumier, ink, 1840
Qui aime Bertrand aime son chien, by Honoré Daumier, ink, 1840

Qui aime Bertrand aime son chien 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.

About this work

Overview

A lithograph by Honoré Daumier, 'Qui aime Bertrand aime son chien', portrays a serene domestic scene featuring a seated man and woman accompanied by a small dog, conveying a sense of everyday intimacy.

Subject & Meaning

The artwork explores themes of companionship and loyalty through the gentle interaction between the two figures and their attentive dog, suggesting a narrative of mutual affection and trust.

Technique & Style

Executed in lithography, the piece demonstrates Daumier's skill in capturing nuanced human emotions and subtle social dynamics through this medium, characterized by expressive lines and suggestive detail.

Context

Reflecting Daumier's interest in depicting ordinary life, this work aligns with his broader practice of using lithography to offer insightful, unpretentious glimpses into 19th-century daily existence and relationships.

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.