Who painted Ma foi! c'est comme on dit...?

Ma foi! c'est comme on dit... was painted by Honoré Daumier in 1840.

Where can I see Ma foi! c'est comme on dit...?

Ma foi! c'est comme on dit... is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Ma foi! c'est comme on dit...?

Ma foi! c'est comme on dit... is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of Ma foi! c'est comme on dit...?

Museum-quality prints of Ma foi! c'est comme on dit... are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Ma foi! c'est comme on dit...

Honoré Daumier , 1840

Ma foi! c'est comme on dit... is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1840 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1840, Ma foi!

About this work

Overview

Created in 1840, Ma foi! c’est comme on dit... is a lithographic print executed on newsprint by the French artist Honoré Daumier. The work belongs to Daumier’s extensive series of satirical images that circulated in the press of the July Monarchy, employing the inexpensive medium of lithography to reach a broad readership.

Subject & Meaning

The image portrays a flamboyantly dressed gentleman, clutching a fan and a small object resembling a key or coin. His features are caricatured, an oversized nose, wide eyes, and an exaggerated grin, conveying a tone of mockery. The accompanying French caption, rendered in a sarcastic register, suggests the figure is boasting about a trivial or foolish achievement.

Technique & Style

Daumery employed the lithographic process, drawing directly onto a smooth stone surface with greasy ink before transferring the image onto newsprint. The resulting print is deliberately sketchy and loose, emphasizing spontaneity and humor. The exaggerated anatomy and simplified clothing details reflect Daumier’s characteristic blend of realism and caricature.

History & Provenance

The lithograph was produced for the satirical journals of the era, such as La Caricature and Le Charivari, which regularly featured Daumier’s political and social commentary. As a work on newsprint, original copies were meant for rapid distribution rather than long‑term collection, and surviving examples are typically found in institutional archives.

Context

The 1840s in France were marked by political tension between republican ideals and the restored monarchy. Daumier, a vocal supporter of republican democracy, used his prints to lampoon the aristocracy, clergy, and governmental authority, positioning himself as a prominent visual critic of the status quo.

Legacy

While not among Daumier’s most famous pieces, this lithograph exemplifies his early engagement with mass‑media satire. It illustrates how lithography enabled artists to comment swiftly on contemporary events, a practice that would influence later generations of political cartoonists.

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Artist & collection

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…