Lawyer 

This drawing of a lawyer was made by Honoré Daumier using graphite on paper. The smudgy softness of the graphite lends itself to Daumier’s quick, searching lines, which capture the essence of his subject, rather than dwelling on the details. Notice the texture of the paper itself, providing a slightly resistant surface for the graphite to adhere to. The marks coalesce to form the figure of the lawyer, caught in a moment of gesticulation. Daumier was fascinated by the social theatre of law, and often represented its players. By employing the simple medium of drawing, Daumier elevated the status of this everyday material, whilst imbuing the image with a social critique, inviting us to consider the role of law, labor, and class. This piece demonstrates how an unassuming medium, combined with thoughtful execution, can speak volumes about the human condition.