Who painted Come on, my friend, I do not find this painting beautiful?

Come on, my friend, I do not find this painting beautiful was painted by Honoré Daumier in 1859.

Where can I see Come on, my friend, I do not find this painting beautiful?

Come on, my friend, I do not find this painting beautiful is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Come on, my friend, I do not find this painting beautiful?

Come on, my friend, I do not find this painting beautiful is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Come on, my friend, I do not find this painting beautiful

Honoré Daumier , 1859

Come on, my friend, I do not find this painting beautiful is a print by the Impressionist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1859 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 1925.1020
Credit line: Dudley P. Allen Fund

About this work

You see a print of people looking at art in a gallery. This scene is interesting because it shows how people reacted to art in the 19th century. The people in the print are looking at the art with different expressions, some seem confused, others seem bored. Check out the work of artist: Honoré Daumier (French, 1808–1879) for more like this.

Overview

Issued as plate eleven in the June 21, 1859 edition of the satirical journal Le Charivari, this print belongs to the series titled The Exhibition of 1859. It captures a moment inside a nineteenth‑century art gallery, presenting a crowd of viewers engaged with the displayed works.

Subject & Meaning

The composition focuses on a diverse group of onlookers, each displaying a distinct facial expression, from bewilderment to indifference, suggesting a commentary on the varied public reception of contemporary art during the period.

Technique & Style

Executed in the characteristic dry‑point and etching style of the era, the image relies on fine line work and cross‑hatching to render the figures and interior space, emphasizing contrast and the subtle nuances of expression.

History & Provenance

Created by French artist Honoré Daumier (1808–1879), the print was originally circulated through the popular press, reaching a broad audience and reflecting Daumier’s engagement with current cultural events.

Context

The work appears against the backdrop of the 1859 Paris Salon, a major exhibition that attracted both critics and the general public. Daumier’s depiction mirrors the growing interest, and occasional skepticism, surrounding modern artistic production in mid‑century France.

Viens donc ..., mon ami, je ne trouve pas ..., Honoré Daumier

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…