Artwork

But yes, my dear, I assure you that this gentleman is drawing a landscape...

But yes, my dear, I assure you that this gentleman is drawing a landscape... is a print by the Romanticist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1846 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

This painting shows a man drawing a landscape.
The man is dressed in formal clothes, which is interesting. He's also standing in a room with books and papers, which suggests he's a gentleman with hobbies.

This scene is a glimpse into everyday life.
You can learn more about this style by looking at the work of artist: Honoré Daumier (French, 1808–1879)

Overview

This 1846 print, plate 23 from Honoré Daumier's series The Good Bourgeois, published in Le Charivari, depicts a gentleman engaged in drawing a landscape within a domestic setting.

Subject & Meaning

The scene offers a glimpse into the leisure activities of a formally attired, educated gentleman, highlighting the intersection of refined hobbies and everyday life in the bourgeoisie.

Technique & Style

Characteristic of Daumier's style, the print likely employs lithography to convey nuanced social commentary through everyday vignettes, inviting reflection on the habits of the emerging middle class.

History & Provenance

Originally published on November 13, 1846, in Le Charivari as part of The Good Bourgeois series, the print's current location and ownership are not specified in the provided information.

Context

Created during a period of social change in France, the work reflects Daumier's penchant for observing and subtly critiquing the bourgeoisie, a common theme in his body of work.

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.