Pleading Lawyer ('L'Argument décisif ')

Daumier is famous for his many drawings, prints, paintings and sculptures depicting satirical scenes from social and political life. They are perceptive commentaries on the idiosyncrasies and foibles of people in various occupations and professions. Five of the museum’s twenty-three drawings by Daumier represent courtroom scenes, which, along with themes from the world of theatre, were among his favourite subjects. Daumier exploited to the full all the excitement and melodrama of the courtroom, ridiculing the histrionics and bombastic posturing of the prosecution and defence lawyers. Their black gowns and contrasting white collars, sharply defined with a brush and black ink, are striking features of many of his drawings of this subject. In spite of its sketchy style, the sheet discussed here is a finished work, with Daumier’s initials at lower left. Many of his drawings were lithographed and issued individually or in series. Others were published in satirical journals like Le Charivari. This sheet has never been lithographed. Traditionally known as L’Argument décisif (The Closing Argument), it shows an advocate addressing the court and pointing rhetorically at a man in the dock. [text: Albert Elen]