Un monsieur qui voulu étudier ... les moeurs ... des abeilles c. 19th century

"Un monsieur qui a voulu étudier de trop près les moeurs si intéressantes des abeilles" (A Gentleman Who Wanted to Study the Very Interesting Customs of Bees) is a lithograph by Honoré Daumier, a renowned French artist known for his social satire. This satirical artwork depicts a man running away from a beehive, having clearly gotten a bit too close to his subject of study. Daumier was known for his caricatures that poked fun at the foibles of society, often depicting the upper class in humorous situations. This artwork is an example of his talent for capturing the absurdity of life with wit and charm. The use of simple lines and shades of grey, a common technique in lithography, creates a sense of movement and chaos, perfectly conveying the man's frantic flight. This caricature captures Daumier's keen eye for social commentary and his ability to use humor to highlight the flaws of the human condition.