The artwork, titled “Jacques Babinet,” is a caricature created by the renowned artist Honoré Daumier in the year 1857. This piece, which falls under the Realism art movement, measures 23.4 by 28.4 centimeters and is housed at the Château de Compiègne in Compiègne, France.
The artwork depicts two individuals engaged in conversation on a street. The central figure is a man dressed formally in a large overcoat and top hat, holding what appears to be a long, lit candle. Facing him is a woman wrapped in a cloak and bonnet. Both characters are carrying lanterns, suggesting it is likely nighttime. The background shows an urban setting with buildings and a third figure walking away, also holding a lantern. The scene is executed in Daumier’s characteristic satirical style, employing exaggerated features to convey a critical and humorous commentary on contemporary society. The use of monochrome shading adds depth and contrast, augmenting the realism within the caricature.
