Eh bonjour! enchanté de vous rencontrer... 1840

Honoré Daumier created this lithograph entitled "Eh bonjour! enchanté de vous rencontrer..." using black crayon and pen. The composition focuses on the stark contrast between two central figures in a bathhouse setting. The use of line is particularly striking, with a dense network of fine lines creating textures and volumes that define the men's bodies. Daumier’s strategic use of distortion and exaggeration, such as the attenuated limbs of one figure and the corpulent physique of the other, serves to challenge conventional ideals of beauty. The starkness of the scene is heightened by the contrast between light and shadow, achieved through varying densities of lines. This contrast accentuates the grotesque yet poignant qualities of the figures. The lithograph transcends mere caricature, functioning as a critique of social types. The bathhouse setting serves as a stage for the performance of societal roles, where the body becomes a site of both vulnerability and display. Daumier invites us to consider how representation shapes and distorts our perceptions.