Two Good Neighbors, plate 25 from Locataires Et Propriétaires 1847

"Two Good Neighbors" is a lithograph created by Honoré Daumier in 1847. It is part of a series called "Locataires Et Propriétaires" that satirizes the social struggles of 19th-century Paris, specifically the tension between landlords and tenants. Daumier’s sharp wit is on full display in this image as two men, one a tenant and one a landlord, engage in a humorous exchange over a wall. The tenant, dressed in a simple striped jacket and plaid trousers, tips his hat to the landlord, who stands above him, perhaps on his balcony, wearing a top hat and looking down. Daumier’s distinctive style, with its exaggerated features and bold lines, captures the comedic essence of the social interactions of the era. This lithograph, now in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, provides a window into the humor and social commentary of Daumier’s time, making it a valuable piece for art lovers and historians alike.