Art News

Two Intriguing Artworks, One Believed to be a Rare Honore Daumier, Up for Auction

FALLS CHURCH, VA.- The area around Washington, D.C., has always been a sweet spot for European art discoveries because so many high-ranking diplomats and government officials live there. Traditionally, these are sophisticated people who’ve traveled extensively and returned home to the nation’s capital with art and antiques acquired during their overseas stints. Matthew Quinn, partner in Quinn’s Auction Galleries, is accustomed to dealing with consignments and estate contents from D.C.’s diplomats and high society, so it takes something rather special to capture his imagination. That happened recently when a Washington woman brought in a painting that, while unsigned, was identified on verso as being the work of Honoré Daumier (French, 1808-1879). Daumier was best known for his satirical lithographs, and produced nearly 4,000 lithos before he lost his sight at age 64. As he was creating his lithographs,