Le premier bain c. 19th century

Honoré Daumier made this lithograph, titled ‘Le premier bain,’ which translates to ‘The First Bath,’ using a greasy crayon to draw directly onto a prepared limestone slab, before printing it onto paper. The visual impact hinges on the immediacy and expressive quality of the lithographic mark. Daumier masterfully captures the scene's energy and emotion, from the father's straining posture to the child's wide-eyed trepidation. Lithography allowed for relatively quick reproduction, making Daumier’s social commentary accessible to a wide audience. As a printmaker, Daumier sat outside the traditional hierarchy of painting and sculpture. His images circulated in newspapers, offering sharp commentary on the lives of ordinary people in the rapidly changing urban landscape of 19th-century Paris. This print, with its focus on a simple, intimate moment, reflects Daumier’s interest in the everyday experiences of the working class. It reminds us that artistic value lies not just in the choice of subject matter, but in the skill and insight brought to its depiction.