Les petits présens ...
1840
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1840
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This lithograph shows a woman leaning close to a man who stands straight and calm. Their faces look serious, like they’re sharing a quiet, tense moment. Daumier often used this style to mock class differences in 1800s France. The scratchy lines of the print make their clothes and expressions feel real. Lithography was new then, letting artists make quick, bold images like this. It feels like Daumier studied real people before drawing. Look up Honoré Daumier for more of his sharp social sketches.
