Je ne pourrai jamais faire croire a ma femme ... c. 19th century

Here we see a lithograph by Honoré Daumier entitled “I will never be able to make my wife believe that it was a draft!”. Daumier was working in France during the 19th century, a time of significant social change, especially regarding gender roles and class structures. His work often critiques the bourgeoisie, and this piece is no exception. We observe a man, caught in a moment of frantic self-examination, while his wife sleeps soundly in their bed. The image speaks to the anxieties and performances of masculinity within the confines of domestic life. Is it possible that his concern lies not just with physical appearance, but with maintaining a particular image for his wife? This is an interesting question, in light of the era’s rigid expectations of men as providers and protectors. Daumier invites us to consider the internal struggles hidden behind the facade of bourgeois respectability. The man's statement highlights a tension between societal expectations and personal insecurities, inviting us to reflect on our own vulnerabilities, hidden behind self-deception.