Commission des bastonnades

Honoré Daumier

National Gallery of Art

This is a drawing of a group of figures. The image depicts a formal scene where a man in a suit is flanked by two rough-looking, barefoot men holding sticks, while across from him a group of seated men, one of whom is wearing a large hat with a plume, appear to be part of an inquisition or tribunal. The scene is rendered in black and white, with detailed linework that captures expressive body language and exaggerated features. There is text at the bottom, which implies dialogue or context for the depicted scenario.