Votre maison me fait l'effet de devoir..., from Locataires et Propriétaires, published in Le Charivari, November 5, 1856

Art Historical Context

Step into the witty world of 19th French satire with *Votre maison me fait l de devoir...*, a lithograph from Honoré Daumier's seriesLocataires et Propriétaires (Tenants and Land). Created around October 14, 1836, and published in the satirical newspaper *Le Charivari* on November 5, 1856, this print is attributed to Daumier alongside Aaron Martinet and Destouches Daumier, a master caricaturist, used his sharp eye to skewer social tensions, here likely capturing a humorous exchange between landlords and tenants over a dilapidated property—evoked by tags like architecture, hats, and men. Lithography, the medium of choice, was revolutionary for its ability to produce affordable, detailed images in large quantities, fueling *Le Charivari*'s critique of the July Monarchy's bourgeoisie. This second state of two (per Delteil catalog) measures 9 11/16 × 14 5/16 inches on the sheet, with a crisp image of 8 1/4 × 10 3/8 inches, showcasing Daumier's fluid lines and exaggerated expressions that made his work instantly recognizable. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1936), this piece reflects the era's housing woes amid rapid urbanization, reminding us how art can lampoon everyday inequities with enduring bite. A delightful glimpse into Daumier's legacy of social commentary!