L'Entrée du Grand tunnel d'un chemin de fer 1843

This lithograph by Honoré Daumier from 1843, titled "L'Entrée du Grand tunnel d'un chemin de fer" (The Entrance to the Large Tunnel of a Railway), humorously depicts the anxieties of passengers entering a railway tunnel. Daumier, known for his social commentary, captures the fear and confusion of the passengers as they approach the dark, seemingly imposing entrance. Through exaggerated expressions and postures, he satirizes the upper-class anxieties surrounding the new technology of the railroad. The artwork exemplifies Daumier's signature style of bold lines, sharp contrasts, and dynamic composition.