This is a drawing of a social gathering. In the foreground, there is a man and a woman dressed elegantly. They are shown in a poised manner, with slight physical contact. In the background, a group of people is partially visible, engaged in conversation behind a curtain. The setting includes decorative elements like a large vase on a pedestal, suggesting an elegant room. The artist's use of shading and line work highlights the texture of the clothing and gives depth to the figures, conveying a satirical look at bourgeois society.
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This is a drawing of a social gathering. In the foreground, there is a man and a woman dressed elegantly. They are shown in a poised manner, with slight physical contact. In the background, a group of people is partially visible, engaged in conversation behind a curtain. The setting includes decorative elements like a large vase on a pedestal, suggesting an elegant room. The artist's use of shading and line work highlights the texture of the clothing and gives depth to the figures, conveying a satirical look at bourgeois society.

National Gallery of Art · Print

Ayant la prétention de faire partie du beau monde

Honoré Daumier

Date
1847
Medium
lithograph on newsprint
Classification
Print
Accession number
1979.49.55
Credit line
Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund
Time span
1826 to 1850
Department
CG-E

Portfolio and series

Series
Les Bons bourgeois: pl.57

Subjects and terms

  • French
  • interior
  • architecture
  • Woman
  • Vase
  • Dress
  • Man

NGA object ID 57217. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.