Who painted Les Avocats?

Les Avocats was painted by Honoré Daumier in 1860.

Where can I see Les Avocats?

Les Avocats is held by Hammer Museum.

What movement is Les Avocats?

Les Avocats is associated with Realism.

Artwork

Les Avocats

Honoré Daumier , 1860

Les Avocats is an oil painting by the Realist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1860 and is held in the collection of the Hammer Museum.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1860, this oil on canvas by Honoré Daumier depicts a line of men dressed in dark legal attire, each wearing a white collar. The central figure stands out, while the surrounding figures recede, lending the composition a hierarchical sense. The palette is restrained, dominated by somber tones that underscore the work’s formal atmosphere.

Subject & Meaning

The figures represent lawyers or judges, their solemn expressions and uniform dress suggesting a collective professional identity.

The figures represent lawyers or judges, their solemn expressions and uniform dress suggesting a collective professional identity. By arranging the group in a straight line, Daumier emphasizes order and authority, while the varied gazes hint at individual contemplation within the institutional setting. The painting conveys the gravity associated with the legal profession in mid‑nineteenth‑century France.

Technique & Style

Daumier employs a muted chromatic scheme, allowing the stark contrast between the dark robes and bright collars to define form. Subtle modeling through light and shadow creates a modest sense of volume without overt dramatics, reflecting his restrained approach to chiaroscuro. Brushwork remains smooth, reinforcing the dignified tone of the scene.

History & Provenance

The canvas entered the collection of the Hammer Museum, where it is currently displayed. Its acquisition date and prior ownership are not extensively documented, but the work has been recognized as part of Daumier’s broader output of genre scenes that explore professional life in Paris during the 1860s.

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.