Andromache. “- Our family 's destiny was pitiless death, my husband was tortured to the end of his breath,” plate 6 from Physionomies Tragiques 1851

Honoré Daumier rendered "Andromache" using lithographic crayon and black ink, achieving a visually striking composition. Two figures dominate the space, their forms delineated by vigorous, expressive lines. The monochromatic palette accentuates the raw emotion etched into their faces and postures. Daumier's formal choices here reflect a broader interest in the semiotics of expression, using exaggerated features and dynamic compositions to convey complex emotional states. The anguished figure on the left, with her contorted body and desperate gaze, serves as a signifier of profound suffering. The strategic deployment of light and shadow enhances the dramatic tension, creating a sense of immediacy and psychological depth. The visual structure destabilizes classical ideals of beauty, replacing them with a visceral representation of human vulnerability. By exploring the expressive potential of line and form, Daumier invites us to consider how art can function as a mirror reflecting the human condition. The artwork serves as a site where emotional and philosophical discourses intersect, challenging us to confront the complexities of tragedy and representation.