Twee mannen schudden elkaar de hand 1838

This lithograph, "Two Men Shaking Hands," was created by Honoré Daumier in the 19th century. Note the stark contrasts and caricatured forms rendered through decisive lines. The exaggerated features of the figures underscore the emotional impact of the handshake. Daumier uses the formal structure of portraiture to critique the superficiality of social gestures. He renders two figures clasping hands, their caricatured faces—one elongated and gaunt, the other broad and bulbous—suggesting a strained interaction rather than sincere connection. The sharp, almost brutal lines evoke a sense of unease. This formal rendering underscores Daumier’s broader commentary on the performative aspects of social rituals. The lithograph serves as a visual sign, pointing to the complex layers of meaning inherent in simple human interactions. It questions the values and power dynamics embedded in social structures.