Aux petits des oisons, ils donnent la mangeaille ...

Created through lithography, the work relies on the artist’s ability to draw directly onto a stone or metal plate with greasy media, then print from the prepared surface. Daumée’s line work is brisk yet precise, capturing the texture of feathers and the gestures of the figures with a lightness characteristic of his printmaking practice.

Produced during Daumée’s prolific period of social observation, the print aligns with his broader interest in portraying the lives of ordinary people. While primarily known for caricature and political satire, this piece demonstrates his capacity to render quiet, domestic scenes that still carry a gentle critical edge toward rural customs.