How Useful for an Opera Singer to Have a Family, plate 14 from Croquis Dramatiques 1857

This lithograph by Honoré Daumier, titled "How Useful for an Opera Singer to Have a Family," satirizes the social scene of 19th-century Paris. The image depicts a group of well-dressed individuals watching an opera performance, with a focus on a man who appears bored and disinterested, while his wife and children seem to be enjoying the show. Daumier's use of exaggerated features and sharp lines conveys a sense of humor and social commentary, suggesting that the pursuit of entertainment and social status can sometimes overshadow more meaningful aspects of life. This is a typical example of Daumier's work, which often addressed social injustices and the hypocrisy of the upper class in 19th-century France. The work is also known for its realistic depiction of Parisian life.