This one may look as unhappy as a rock, before I would give him a job, published in "Le Boulevard"

Art Historical Context

Honoré Daumier, a master of 19th-century French satire, created *This one may look as as a rock, before would give him a job published in the satirical periodical *Le Boulevard* on 8, 1862. This lithograph, in its second state of three (as cataloged by Delteil), Daumier's signature style of sharp social commentary through exaggerated caricature. Printed in black ink on a large sheet (17 11/16 × 12 3/8 in.), it exemplifies the affordability and wide reach of lithography, which allowed Daumier to French society for mass audiences during the Second Empire. The image likely depicts a humorous exchange involving men and women amid drinking, with the title mocking an individual's dour expression and perceived unemployability. Daumier's works often lampooned the bourgeoisie, unemployment, and everyday absurdities under Napoleon III's regime, blending empathy with biting wit. Tags like "Satire," "Men," "Women," and "Drinking" highlight its focus on gender dynamics and social rituals, reflecting the era's café culture and class tensions. As part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints collection (Rogers Fund, 1922), this piece underscores Daumier's prolific output—over 4,000 lithographs—and his role in shaping political cartooning. Visitors will appreciate how its expressive lines and dramatic contrasts convey universal human foibles with timeless relevance.

About the Artist

Bertauts|Honoré Daumier (French|French) · 1830 |1808 –1860 |1879

|French, Marseilles 1808–1879 Valmondois