Oh! ma femme est morte! 1836

"Oh! ma femme est morte!" (Oh! My wife is dead!), is a lithograph from 1836 by Honoré Daumier. It depicts a man in a state of shock and grief, clutching a letter in his hands as his eyes widen in disbelief. The image is a satirical commentary on the social and emotional impact of death. The exaggerated facial expressions and comical setting serve to highlight the absurdity of human suffering and the fragility of life, themes frequently explored by Daumier in his work. This piece represents Daumier's mastery of caricature and his ability to evoke powerful emotions through the use of humor and satire.