Prosecutor

Honoré Daumier

1844

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Romanticism Early 19th Century Portrait

About this work

This is a dark, simple portrait of a man in a black robe and cap. His face is pale, with a serious expression and a slight frown. The background is almost all black, making the man stand out. The artist used quick, sketchy lines and watercolor to create this rough but expressive look. It feels more like a drawing than a polished painting. Next, look up Daumier, Honoré to see more of his bold, character-driven portraits.