The concierge the day after, from 'News of the day,' published in Le Charivari, January 1, 1867
Original title: The concierge the day after, from 'News of the day,' published in Le Charivari, January 1, 1867
kurzbeschreibung
Honoré Daumier made this lithograph on 1 January 1867 for the satirical journal Le Charivari, as part of the series News of the day. Two men appear in a bare room, one staring at a piece of paper with a baffled expression. The scene is humorous and taken from everyday life.
Description
Two figures face each other in a plain interior. On the left, a man in a shirt and cap holds a sheet of paper and looks up with surprise. On the right, a second man in a tall top hat watches or presses in on him. A wall and a door are suggested. Light enters from the right, creating strong shadows and contrasts. The image remains in black and white.
Context
Daumier produced this lithograph for the satirical newspaper Le Charivari, where he regularly published political and social caricatures. It came out on New Year's Day 1867 as part of the series News of the day. The concierge recurs in Daumier's work and serves to caricature urban social types. According to Delteil, the second edition shows a revision from the first.
Impact
The caricature presents a comic yet everyday situation that invites a smile. Clear contours and the expressive faces of the figures heighten the humorous effect. By limiting itself to essentials, the print feels immediate and memorable.
Technique
Lithography on newsprint—a process typical of Daumier that allowed quick and inexpensive print runs. The drawing was put on the stone in black ink and then printed. The present version is the second state of the lithograph, as documented in the literature (Delteil).
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)