Le Marchand d'habits 1842

Here is the audio guide script for the artwork provided: This lithograph, "Le Marchand d'habits", or The Clothes Vendor, was created by Honoré Daumier. Its stark contrasts and dynamic lines capture a scene of Parisian street life. Notice how Daumier uses dense cross-hatching to create deep shadows, giving the figure a weighty, almost sculptural presence. The vendor, burdened with clothes, is depicted with an exaggerated expression that borders on caricature. The composition is structured to draw your eye from the vendor’s face, down the pile of clothes, and along his body. Note how the figure appears to be emerging from a darker background into the light. Daumier's strategic use of light and shadow not only defines form but also hints at deeper societal commentaries. The caricature is heightened by the slightly blurred lines to the left, which destabilizes the idea of perfect representations. This print isn't just a visual record; it’s an inquiry into the ephemeral nature of identity and representation.