La bonne prise

La bonne prise

Honoré Daumier

1836

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

About this work

This drawing shows a man in a black top hat and coat, holding a small box to his nose. His face is red, and he’s sniffing something strong—maybe tobacco or medicine. The lines are loose and sketchy, but his expression is clear: he’s squinting and looks a little uncomfortable. The title *La bonne prise* means "the good pinch," hinting this is about how he’s using the snuff. Daumier often made fun of everyday habits in his work. Next, look up lithography to see how artists like him made prints cheaply.

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