Karikatuur van een misantroop die bedenkt hoe hij zelfmoord zal plegen 1833

This is Honoré Daumier’s lithograph, "Caricature of a Misanthrope Contemplating Suicide," printed on paper. The composition is dominated by diagonal lines. The slumped figure of the misanthrope sits precariously, mirroring the instability of his mental state. Daumier uses stark contrasts in light and shadow to intensify the emotional impact. The dark suit of the man, set against the lighter background, makes him stand out. The whiteness of the classical bust is in sharp contrast with the gloom. The series of miniature suicide attempts – hanging, poisoning, stabbing – are displayed almost comically around him, like props in a macabre theatre. These elements serve to destabilize the traditional romanticisation of suicide, presenting it instead as a farcical contemplation, challenging our expectations of tragedy. The image, far from being a straightforward depiction of despair, functions as a critique of the melodramatic excesses.