Danger de secouer trop fortement ... Un prunier c. 19th century

"Danger de secouer trop fortement un prunier, quand on est soi-même un homme mûr" (Danger of shaking a plum tree too hard when you are yourself a mature man) is a lithograph by French artist Honoré Daumier, c. 19th century. The work exemplifies Daumier's satirical style, depicting a man dangling precariously from a tree branch while a woman looks on in alarm. Daumier's caricatures often poked fun at the follies and hypocrisies of society, using humor and exaggeration to highlight social injustices. This work is likely a commentary on the dangers of overconfidence and recklessness, particularly in middle age. Daumier's use of simple lines and expressive detail bring a humorous yet unsettling tone to the scene, making it a poignant and thought-provoking social commentary.