Skip to main content
You must admit that it is a bit boring, Monsieur Loustalot, to stand like this all day with your arms up like that holding the signal-flag?… – You are telling me!.. and I’m so stuffed up with a cold! I needed to blow my nose for the past 45 minutes….. but I don’t dare …. it might endanger the safety of the train…. I’ll ask the next passenger who happens to pass by to do me this favour.
Public Domain

Honoré Daumier

You must admit that it is a bit boring, Monsieur Loustalot, to stand like this all day with your arms up like that holding the signal-flag?… – You are telling me!.. and I’m so stuffed up with a cold! I needed to blow my nose for the past 45 minutes….. but I don’t dare …. it might endanger the safety of the train…. I’ll ask the next passenger who happens to pass by to do me this favour.

1843

Scroll

Honoré Daumier

You must admit that it is a bit boring, Monsieur Loustalot, to stand like this all day with your arms up like that holding the signal-flag?… – You are telling me!.. and I’m so stuffed up with a cold! I needed to blow my nose for the past 45 minutes….. but I don’t dare …. it might endanger the safety of the train…. I’ll ask the next passenger who happens to pass by to do me this favour.

1843

Physical Qualities Crayon lithograph, Sheet: 208 × 262 mm. (8 3/16 × 10 5/16 in.)
Portfolio/Series Plate 3 from the series "Les Chemins De Fer"
Credit Line Gift of Lilian Sarah Greif
Object Number 1966.48.63

Artist

Honoré Daumier

French, 1808-1879

Meet Honoré Daumier

Explore the Collection Further

Honoré Daumier
Nadar Elevating Photography to Art
1862
Honoré Daumier
To imagine that next year I will be exhibited and that everybody in Paris will see me... its is kind of flattering, isn't it Dear? - I'm just unhappy that you won't be wearing your neck-tie... it looks a bit sloppy... if there is still some time, why don't you ask the sculptor to add on your stand-up collar.
1859
Charles Maurand and Honoré Daumier
Un Guichet de théatre.
1862
Honoré Daumier
The other day, I pulled off another smart trick... I had set up a firm with a capital of ten million francs to exploit top boots in cardboard ... I had placed only eight shares worth a petty 1200 francs... I called together my eight shareholders and held forth in something like the following manner: "Ah! Good-day ye strolling gentlemen, how handsome you are, how fine you seem!" I promised them more cheese than bread, I gave them a 50% dividend, I warmed them up a bit and let them simmer... The following day they couldn't get hold of my shares fast enough, I placed all of them and at the next meeting I said: "The last time I did the books I made a mistake. I forgot to take into account the price of the cardboard and its fabrication. You must return the dividend I gave you, I'm going to hold it back... I put down nothing and kept back the r
1838
Unknown Artist and Honoré Daumier
Croquade Divers
1840
Honoré Daumier
Preparing for the baccalaureate. - There are two ways in which you might pass your exams: the first way is to let someone else take your place; the second is to take them yourself. - I would like to take them myself. - Very good!... Do you know Greek? - No. - Latin? - None the more. - Excellent!... Do you know your Math? - Not at all. - What do you know then? - Nothing. - But you've 200 francs? - Of course! - Splendid... You'll be passed next Thursday. - You mean you're going to prepare me in eight days? - What do you think!!!!... It's true that I've taken on the responsibility for your success, but for teaching you... Oh no! Certainly not!!
1837
Alfred Prunaire and Honoré Daumier
The Grand Stairway of the Palais de Justice
c. 1903
Honoré Daumier
Monsieur Alfred Cabassol! You are the only one in the class who succeeded to get through the entire week without blowing your nose into your sleeve. Please stand to receive this prize of honour for cleanliness.
1846
Alfred Prunaire and Honoré Daumier
The Grand Stairway of the Palais de Justice
c. 1903
Honoré Daumier
Great Exhibition... of Industry and Contemporary Jokes. Enter and judge for yourself! Everything is arranged and ready: The pancake of the courts good for digestion (To the side: and difficult to digest). The Master-thief who catches all!! (save for his shadow). Liquid bitumen! (exactly). Men's shirts for the use of little children. The marvellous indestructible hats (that melt in the sun and dissolve in the rain). Dromedar cream in great demand (by fools). English beer with lots of froth (like in the newspapers). Simpleton's sublime, the classic coal of Saint Pétrain that one can put to the test (at any time).
1839
Alfred Prunaire and Honoré Daumier
The Grand Stairway of the Palais de Justice
n.d.
Honoré Daumier
Ah, Sir, your broth is really light..... even the patients complain that it does not sustain them! - I have corrected that... but today it might be a bit too strong.... I added to the pot half a game of Dominos more than yesterday..... including the double six to give it a nice colour.
1844