Honoré DaumierFrench, 1808–1879Deux Avocats
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Victoria and Albert Museum
London, United Kingdom
It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.
- Checked
- 7 days ago
- In this state since
- Sep 25, 2026
- Source
- The museum's own collection data
About the work
Honoré Daumier was well versed in the workings of the law courts, having been tried in 1831 for the offence of caricaturing King Louis-Philippe, for which he received six months in prison. After his release Daumier frequently visited the courts, where members of the legal profession provided a wealth of subjects for caricature. This vibrant, rapid sketch of two barristers conspiring expresses the pomposity and corruption which Daumier regarded as endemic to the legal profession. When visiting the courts, he first drew specific people and events, but later developed a powerful repertory of characteristic legal 'types', as seen here.
Victoria and Albert Museum
Particulars
- Accession number
- CAI.124
In the catalog
Sources
- Victoria and Albert Museum: the museum's own open data · fetched 7 days ago
- Image: Victoria and Albert Museum — © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Meanwhile, in the life of Honoré Daumier
The whole life1863
Departure from the Île Saint-Louis to Montmartre
By 1863 Daumier was selling off his furniture to raise funds; he left the Île Saint-Louis and in 1863–1865 moved through a succession of lodgings in Montmartre, losing touch with many of his friends.
1864
New Contract with Le Charivari
In 1864 Le Charivari offered Daumier a new contract; he returned to caricature to earn a living and found an appreciative public, producing 100 lithographs in a year for an income of 400 francs a month.
1865
Settling in Valmondois
After spending the summer of 1865 in Valmondois with Théodore Rousseau, whose health was failing, Daumier soon left Montmartre for good and rented a small cottage in Valmondois, where he lived for the rest of his life.
c. 1865 – 1866
Onset of Failing Eyesight
Around 1865–1866 Daumier's eyesight began to fail; the condition progressed, though he continued to make drawings and poster sketches as late as 1872 and painted almost until his death.
