The artwork entitled “Passers By,” created by Honore Daumier around 1858 to 1860, is an oil on canvas piece that depicts elements of the Realism movement and belongs to the genre painting category. This artwork is currently housed in the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon located in Lyon, France.
The composition of the artwork showcases a group of individuals, primarily men, captured in a rather somber and reflective mood. The focal point features a man in the center adorned in a dark suit and a top hat, his face outlined by a distinct expression. Surrounding him, an array of figures, similarly attired in dark clothing and top hats, form a dense and somewhat ambiguous crowd. Toward the right side, an individual dressed in lighter clothing creates a noticeable contrast amidst the predominantly dark hues. The background, with minimal detail, suggests an overcast or twilight ambiance, enhancing the overall mood of introspection and anonymity amongst the figures. The muted color palette, combined with the realistic depiction of the characters, invokes a powerful sense of the ordinary lives and everyday moments of people in mid-19th century France.
