Artwork

Avocat plaidant

Avocat plaidant, by Honoré Daumier, oil, 1853
Avocat plaidant, by Honoré Daumier, oil, 1853

Avocat plaidant is an oil painting by the Realist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1853 and is held in the collection of the Hammer Museum.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1853, this oil on canvas by French artist Honoré Daumier is part of the collection at the Hammer Museum. The work presents a solitary figure seated on the floor, rendered in muted brown and tan tones that give the scene a subdued atmosphere.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure wears a dark coat over a white shirt, his right arm lifted to touch a wall. His expression is thoughtful, and his relaxed posture conveys a moment of quiet contemplation, inviting viewers to consider the inner life of the sitter.

Technique & Style

Daumier employs a restrained palette and modest modeling to suggest form, relying on subtle shifts of light and shadow rather than dramatic chiaroscuro. The brushwork is smooth, emphasizing the calm mood and the modest setting.

History & Provenance

The painting has remained in public ownership, entering the Hammer Museum’s holdings where it is displayed among other 19th‑century French works. Its provenance prior to acquisition is not extensively documented.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Honoré Daumier

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.

Hammer Museum

Museum

Hammer Museum

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Hammer Museum open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.