Le Commerce un jour d'échéance

Honoré Daumier

National Gallery of Art

The image shows a caricature with four figures visible. The primary figure in the foreground is a man captured from a side perspective, entering a building. His entire body is visible, wearing a simple, wrapped garment resembling a cloak or blanket, with one knee raised as if in motion. His face is not fully visible, but his head is covered with a cloth-plumed hat, and he wears tattered shoes. Behind him stands another figure with a rotund body, exaggerated facial features, and a top hat. This figure appears to be mid-gesture, watching the man in the foreground. Further behind them, two other figures can be seen, walking together. One of these figures wears glasses and a small top hat, with a shorter stature and pointed chin, while the other has a slightly hunched posture. The scene occurs on a city street, with tall buildings indicated by vertical shading in the background. A sign above the entryway reads "Mont de Piété," indicating the location, and suggests a pawnshop setting.