Le 14 Juin c. 19th century

Here we see "Le 14 Juin," a lithograph by Honoré Daumier. The composition is dominated by two figures in a bed, rendered with quick, expressive lines that capture a sense of relief. The visual structure of the piece relies heavily on contrasts. The dark, almost oppressive shading of the bed curtains serves to frame the figures, who are illuminated with a lighter touch. This interplay of light and shadow is not merely decorative; it emphasizes the figures’ emotions after the ominous 13th of June has passed. Daumier employs line as a semiotic tool. Notice how the lines are denser and more agitated around the background, conveying anxiety. In contrast, the more open and relaxed linework describing the figures suggests a lightness of spirit as they are still alive. This contrast encourages us to decode the image as a comment on bourgeois fears and superstitions.