Un Lutteur malheureux

Honoré Daumier

National Gallery of Art

The image depicts two men in various poses. One man is standing and leaning over another man who is seated on a chair. The seated man is thin, with pronounced cheekbones and an elongated face. He has sparse hair and is wearing striped shorts and slippers, without a shirt. The standing man wears a long dark coat, gloves, and a high hat. His face is expressive, with stylized hair and a shadow cast by the hat over his eyes. He holds a cane and a glistening object, possibly a light source, is aimed into the seated man's open mouth. A crumpled paper with text and a symbol is on the floor near the chair. The background is a simple light-toned surface, and the artwork is monochromatic, emphasizing contrast and shadow.