I don't like the appearance of this gentleman at all!
Original title: I don't like the appearance of this gentleman at all!, from 'On the train,' published in Le Charivari, August 26, 1864
kurzbeschreibung
Two men sit facing each other in a train compartment, deep in conversation. Honoré Daumier drew this scene in 1864 as a lithograph for the satirical magazine Le Charivari; it belongs to his series 'In the Train.' The print pokes fun at the habits of middle-class travelers in the 19th century.
Description
On the left sits a gentleman in a top hat, shirt and jacket; on the right, a man in a cap, jacket and trousers. The two have turned toward each other and are talking. Behind them, windows with blinds suggest the interior of a railway carriage. Black and white with graded shading provides depth and texture. The figures are drawn realistically, yet their faces and postures carry caricatural traits.
Context
The lithograph appeared on August 26, 1864, in the French satirical magazine Le Charivari. It is part of Daumier's series 'In the Train,' which dealt with social life in the railway age. The artist was known for socially critical caricatures that targeted the bourgeoisie and the manners of his time. By then the railway was already widespread in France and brought new forms of encounter and travel.
Impact
The pointed portrayal of the two men, their facial expressions and gestures, conveys a sense of tension or rejection. The focus on essentials and clear lines make the image immediately readable. The viewer becomes witness to an everyday but conflict-ridden encounter in public space.
Technique
The lithograph was printed on newsprint and exists in the third of three states (Delteil). The lithographic process allowed fine shading and precise reproduction of contours. Daumier used this printing technique to produce caricatures quickly and in large editions for the daily press.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)