Who painted Si la patience était bannie du reste ...?

Si la patience était bannie du reste ... was painted by Honoré Daumier in 1865.

Where can I see Si la patience était bannie du reste ...?

Si la patience était bannie du reste ... is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Si la patience était bannie du reste ...?

Si la patience était bannie du reste ... is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Si la patience était bannie du reste ...

Honoré Daumier , 1865

Si la patience était bannie du reste ... is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1865 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Honoré Daumier’s lithograph *Si la patience était bannie du reste* presents a bustling waiting room populated by a variety of exaggerated figures. The composition captures the claustrophobic atmosphere of a public space where individuals of differing social ranks converge, each rendered with a distinctive, caricatural touch.

Subject & Meaning

The scene juxtaposes a bearded man, leaning on a cane, with elegantly attired women, underscoring the mingling of classes in a shared, idle environment. Through this contrast, Daumier satirizes the universal impatience and absurdity that arise when people are forced to wait together, hinting at broader social tensions.

Technique & Style

Executed in lithography, the work relies on bold, incisive lines that exaggerate facial expressions and postures. Daumier’s caricature-like approach amplifies the emotional states—boredom, irritation, resignation—while maintaining a recognizable realism that grounds the humor in everyday life.

Context

Created during Daumier’s prolific period of social commentary, the print reflects his ongoing interest in public venues such as railway stations and cafés, where the anonymity of crowds offered fertile ground for critique of contemporary French society.

Legacy

The lithograph remains a representative example of Daumier’s ability to blend wit with observation, influencing later satirical artists who employ exaggerated portraiture to comment on social dynamics. Its enduring relevance lies in its vivid portrayal of collective impatience.

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.