Man kerft initialen in een boombast 1840

"Man kerft initialen in een boombast" (1840) by Honoré Daumier is a lithograph depicting a man carving initials into a tree trunk. This satirical print, part of Daumier’s series "Sentiments et Passions," highlights the artist's keen observation of human behavior. The figure’s exaggerated features and the inscription "Pauvre jeune homme! une lettre de plus peindrait parfaitement sa situation morale," contribute to the humorous tone of the work. The artwork, housed in the Rijksmuseum, exemplifies Daumier's signature style of social commentary and his use of caricature to expose the absurdities of daily life.