The artwork “Leaving School,” created by Honoré Daumier circa 1847 to circa 1848, is an oil painting on panel. This piece, which belongs to the Realism movement, is a genre painting and currently resides in a private collection.
The artwork depicts a group of schoolchildren, suggested by their attire and their gathered, somewhat lively interaction, likely captured just as they are leaving school. The scene is imbued with naturalism, a hallmark of the Realist movement, with Daumier’s skillful use of light and shadow bringing depth to the figures. The children’s clothing and the subdued, earthy tones used emphasize the ordinariness of the moment, lending a sense of authenticity to the everyday scene. The focal point is the expressions and postures of the children, which speak volumes about their individual characters and collective experience of a shared moment in time.
