Inconvénient de mettre son logement... 1847

Honoré Daumier made this lithograph to comment on social issues in 19th century France, a time marked by rapid urbanization. Here, the artist depicts the realities of urban living. A man in a nightcap soaks his feet, seeking relief from the cold, as a concerned woman hovers nearby. A well-dressed visitor peers in, his face expressing a mix of concern and intrusion. The cramped space suggests the tight living conditions of the time, where privacy was a luxury. Daumier critiques the commodification of housing, highlighting how placing one's lodgings under the care of a concierge—someone who is also your landlord—can lead to a loss of personal space and dignity. The man’s vulnerability is palpable; his attempts to find comfort are laid bare, turning a private moment into a public spectacle. Daumier uses his art to bring attention to social disparities and the emotional toll of living in an increasingly impersonal world.