Who painted Une promenade conjugale?

Une promenade conjugale was painted by Honoré Daumier in 1852.

Where can I see Une promenade conjugale?

Une promenade conjugale is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Une promenade conjugale?

Une promenade conjugale is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Une promenade conjugale

Honoré Daumier , 1852

Une promenade conjugale 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 lithograph Une promenade conjugale presents a man and woman walking side‑by‑side across a rocky terrain. The print captures a moment of shared leisure, framing the pair against a natural backdrop that emphasizes their movement and the contrast between their attire.

Subject & Meaning

The work juxtaposes the male figure’s formal dress—a top hat and cane—with the woman’s flowing, long dress, reflecting the distinct gender expectations of mid‑19th‑century French society. Their poised yet relaxed demeanor suggests both companionship and the social conventions governing public behavior for married or courting partners.

Technique & Style

Executed as a lithograph, Daumier employs fine line work and subtle shading to delineate clothing textures and the rugged landscape. The medium allows for crisp detailing of the figures’ silhouettes while maintaining a lightness that conveys atmospheric depth without heavy tonal contrasts.

Context

Created during a period when Daumée frequently turned his attention to everyday scenes, the print aligns with his broader interest in portraying ordinary French life. The depiction of a leisurely stroll reflects the growing middle‑class habit of public promenade as a social ritual in the 1800s.

Legacy

While not among Daumée’s most widely reproduced images, Une promenade conjugale offers insight into his observational humor and social commentary. The lithograph continues to serve as a visual document of gendered fashion and public etiquette in the era, informing both art historical study and cultural history.

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.