An Encounter in Open Water

 

Honore Daumier (1808-1879), An Encounter in Open Water, lithograph, plate 11 from Les Canotiers Parisiens, 1843, Daumier Register 1033, third state (of 3), in good condition, a sur blanc impression, from the Album, on quality wove paper without the letterpress verso,10.2 x 8.1 inches.

At this time boating in the Seine in Paris was a fashionable hobby. In this image it appears the working sailors are less enamored than the passengers.

Translation from the Daumier Register:

UNE RENCONTRE EN PLEINE EAU.
– Oh! h! . . l bas . . . Capitaine! qu’y a-t-il de nouveau Paris? – Rien de nouveau . . . . on continue n’aller gure la Gat, et pas du tout I’ Ambigu. . . . – Vous n’ avex plus rien me dire ? . . . . – Ah si! . . . j’oubliais . . . . si a peut vous faire plaisir, je vous dis z’ut!

 

Translation:
AN ENCOUNTER IN OPEN WATER.
– Hello… down there… Captain.., what’s new in Paris?
– Nothing new really… still no one goes to the Gaiet or the Ambigu.
– Don’t you have anything else to tell me?
– Oh yes,… I forgot… I hope you like it… shut up!