Artwork

Dis donc, not'homme, faut-y ...

Dis donc, not'homme, faut-y ..., by Honoré Daumier, ink, 1852
Dis donc, not'homme, faut-y ..., by Honoré Daumier, ink, 1852

Dis donc, not'homme, faut-y ... is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1852 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Honoré Daumée’s lithograph titled “Dis donc, not’homme, faut‑y.

About this work

Overview

Honoré Daumée’s lithograph titled “Dis donc, not’homme, faut‑y...” presents a brief scene inside a nineteenth‑century exhibition hall. The composition centers on three individuals, a senior gentleman in a top hat, a woman beside him, and a group of indistinct onlookers, capturing a fleeting exchange as they view the surrounding artworks.

Subject & Meaning

The work isolates a moment of informal dialogue between the older man and the woman, suggesting a shared contemplation of the displayed pieces. The blurred figures in the background emphasize the contrast between the focused participants and the broader, less engaged public, reflecting contemporary interest in how art mediates social interaction.

Technique & Style

Executed as a lithographic print, Daumée employs stark line work and tonal shading to delineate the central pair while rendering the surrounding crowd in softer, less defined strokes. This contrast of clarity and ambiguity underscores the lithograph’s emphasis on the immediacy of the encounter within a public setting.

History & Provenance

Created during the mid‑1800s, the print aligns with Daumée’s broader series of socially observant pieces that document everyday life in Paris. Though specific ownership records are limited, the lithograph has circulated among collections focusing on French printmaking and the artist’s commentary on urban society.

Oh! Monsieur, quel talent possède ...
Oh! Monsieur, quel talent possède ..., Honoré Daumier

Artist & collection

Portrait of Honoré Daumier

Artist

Honoré Daumier

Honoré-Victorin Daumier (French: ; 26 February 1808 – 10 or 11 February 1879) was a French painter, sculptor, and printmaker, whose many works offer commentary on the social and political life in France, from the…

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

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted Dis donc, not'homme, faut-y ...?

Dis donc, not'homme, faut-y ... was painted by Honoré Daumier in 1852.

Where can I see Dis donc, not'homme, faut-y ...?

Dis donc, not'homme, faut-y ... is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Dis donc, not'homme, faut-y ...?

Dis donc, not'homme, faut-y ... is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of Dis donc, not'homme, faut-y ...?

Museum-quality prints of Dis donc, not'homme, faut-y ... are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.