Artwork
Une erreur excusable
Une erreur excusable is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1857 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Honoré Daumier’s 1857 lithograph Une erreur excusable presents a modest rural tableau. Rendered in monochrome, the print shows a man and a woman standing together amid a sparse landscape, accompanied by a few chickens. Their plain clothing and calm expressions create a quiet, contemplative atmosphere that invites the viewer into a moment of simple domestic life.
Subject & Meaning
The composition focuses on the interaction between the two figures: the woman appears lost in thought while the man watches her attentively. The presence of the chickens and the unadorned setting underscores a sense of everyday routine, suggesting themes of modesty, reflection, and the understated intimacy of rural existence.
Technique & Style
Executed as a lithograph, the work relies on the tonal possibilities of black‑ink on paper to convey texture and depth. Daumier’s handling of line and shading emphasizes the simplicity of the figures’ garments and the soft outlines of the birds, while the limited background details reinforce the piece’s restrained, observational style.
History & Provenance
Created in 1857, the print belongs to the period when Daumier was expanding beyond caricature to explore genre scenes of ordinary life. Although specific ownership records are scarce, the lithograph has been catalogued among Daumier’s early prints that document his interest in the French countryside and its inhabitants.
Own this work as a print
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…
