Who painted Une Nouvelle connaissance?

Une Nouvelle connaissance was painted by Honoré Daumier in 1846.

Where can I see Une Nouvelle connaissance?

Une Nouvelle connaissance is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Une Nouvelle connaissance?

Une Nouvelle connaissance is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Une Nouvelle connaissance

Honoré Daumier , 1846

Une Nouvelle connaissance 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

Created in 1846, *Une Nouvelle connaissance* is a lithographic print by French artist Honoré Daumier. Executed during his prolific period of satirical publishing, the work presents a casually posed couple against a dark backdrop, capturing a moment of light conversation. The piece exemplifies Daumier’s engagement with contemporary social commentary through the accessible medium of print.

Subject & Meaning

The composition features a man in a dark coat, hands tucked in his pockets, and a woman in a pale dress cradling a small dog. Their relaxed stance and the woman’s smile suggest a friendly exchange, hinting at the emergence of new acquaintances or social connections. The scene reflects everyday interactions, a common focus for Daumier’s observations of bourgeois life.

Technique & Style

Daumier employed the lithographic process, allowing for swift production and wide distribution in the press of the era. The stark contrast between the dark background and the illuminated figures underscores his skill in rendering form with minimal lines. The drawing’s loose yet precise handling conveys both immediacy and a subtle caricature, characteristic of Daumier’s visual language.

History & Provenance

*Une Nouvelle connaissance* belongs to Daumier’s extensive body of prints that appeared in satirical journals such as *La Caricature* and *Le Charivari* during the July Monarchy and the Second Republic. While primarily intended for a newspaper audience, the print later entered private collections and museum holdings, illustrating the lasting interest in Daumier’s socially engaged oeuvre.

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.