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Et dire que voila trois... prévenu que je n'ai pas pu faire condamner!...

Honoré Daumier , 1845

Et dire que voila trois... prévenu que je n'ai pas pu faire condamner!..., by Honoré Daumier, ink, 1845
Et dire que voila trois... prévenu que je n'ai pas pu faire condamner!..., by Honoré Daumier, ink, 1845

Et dire que voila trois... prévenu que je n'ai pas pu faire condamner!... is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1845 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1845, this lithograph by Honoré Daumier belongs to his extensive series of satirical prints that appeared in periodicals such as La Caricature and Le Charivari. The work depicts a cramped interior scene with three figures, a portrait on the wall, and a caption that references the legal profession, underscoring Daumier’s focus on contemporary French society.

Subject & Meaning

The composition presents a woman in an elaborate dress, arms folded, confronting a man in a long coat whose hands rest in his pockets. A crooked portrait of an older, stern‑looking woman hangs behind them. The exaggerated features, especially the man’s oversized glasses, suggest a humorous critique of courtroom characters and the broader judicial system.

Technique & Style

Executed as a lithograph, the image employs bold line work and stark contrasts typical of Daumier’s printmaking. The medium allowed rapid production for newspaper circulation, while the sketch‑like quality conveys immediacy and a satirical tone that characterizes his visual commentary.

Context

Daumier produced this piece during a period of intense political turbulence in France, spanning from the 1830 Revolution to the collapse of the Second Empire in 1870. As a self‑identified republican democrat, he regularly used caricature to lampoon the monarchy, aristocracy, and clergy, often attracting the attention of censors.

Legacy

The lithograph exemplifies Daumier’s role as a visual journalist, using humor to expose the absurdities of legal and political institutions. Its inclusion in his broader body of work highlights the enduring relevance of satirical print as a vehicle for dissent in 19th‑century France.

Et dire que voila trois... prévenu que je n'ai pas pu faire condamner!...
Et dire que voila trois... prévenu que je n'ai pas pu faire condamner!..., 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…

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.In the collection of National Gallery of Art. Compiled & edited by , Editor & Founder.

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted Et dire que voila trois... prévenu que je n'ai pas pu faire condamner!...?

Et dire que voila trois... prévenu que je n'ai pas pu faire condamner!... was painted by Honoré Daumier in 1845.

Where can I see Et dire que voila trois... prévenu que je n'ai pas pu faire condamner!...?

Et dire que voila trois... prévenu que je n'ai pas pu faire condamner!... is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Et dire que voila trois... prévenu que je n'ai pas pu faire condamner!...?

Et dire que voila trois... prévenu que je n'ai pas pu faire condamner!... is associated with Romanticism.

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Museum-quality prints of Et dire que voila trois... prévenu que je n'ai pas pu faire condamner!... are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.