Lot Essay
The present painting is one of three oils executed by Daumier circa 1870 all sharing the same title and subject matter (Maison, nos. I-228a and I-229). In each version, the foreground consists of an unclearly delineated man and woman walking closely together, with the man holding a recumbent child in his arms. The urban background varies considerably in each image, with this example bearing the most detailed composition. Although the figures are the dominant element in all three paintings, the buildings in the background and the grey foreboding clouds surrounding the figures in this version are also given prominence, creating a solid narrative lacking in the other two pictures.
Maison describes this painting as "the smallest of the three versions...it is less sketchy then I-228a and I-229...a colourful study in very good state of preservation...the painting in the J. Hazen collection is more finished [than the other canvas]." (K.E. Maison, op. cit., p. 177) Maison also acknowledges that the present picture is likely to be the final version of this series.
Maison describes this painting as "the smallest of the three versions...it is less sketchy then I-228a and I-229...a colourful study in very good state of preservation...the painting in the J. Hazen collection is more finished [than the other canvas]." (K.E. Maison, op. cit., p. 177) Maison also acknowledges that the present picture is likely to be the final version of this series.