Artwork
Je commence a trouver ... en temps de neige! ...
Je commence a trouver ... en temps de neige! ... is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1864 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Honoré Daumier’s lithograph titled “Je commence à trouver... en temps de neige!” depicts a wintry scene in which two figures make their way through deep snow. Both characters are bundled in hats and each holds a rifle, their bodies angled as if battling the cold and the terrain.
Subject & Meaning
The work employs exaggerated facial features and lively postures to turn an ordinary winter trek into a satirical observation. By amplifying the figures’ expressions, Daumée highlights the absurdities and hardships of daily life, suggesting that even routine activities become comical under harsh conditions.
Technique & Style
Executed as a lithographic print, the image relies on bold line work and stark contrast to convey texture and movement. Daumier’s characteristic caricatural style, oversized heads, distorted proportions, and dynamic gestures, creates a humorous yet incisive visual language that was central to his broader body of work.
Context
Created during Daumier’s prolific period of social satire, the print reflects his ongoing interest in portraying contemporary society with wit and critique. While specific dates and ownership details are not recorded, the piece fits within his larger oeuvre of lithographs that comment on everyday French life in the mid‑19th century.
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Artist & collection
Artist
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…
