The Amateur Guitarist. Defying everyone's yawns, As he sings his puny verse, He would sing a parlor-song, On the ruins of the universe...,” plate 4 from Monomanes 1840

Honoré Daumier created this lithograph, "The Amateur Guitarist," as part of his "Monomanes" series. During the 19th century, the rise of the bourgeoisie brought new social dynamics. Daumier, with his keen satirical eye, often skewered the pretensions and foibles of this emerging class. This image is a comic representation of a man lost in his own world. The figure, oblivious to the yawns of his audience, embodies the self-importance and lack of self-awareness Daumier frequently associated with the monomanias of the middle class. Daumier’s caricatures weren't just about humor; they reflected a broader commentary on the social landscape of his time. He captured the emotional and personal dimensions of these individuals while revealing the underlying societal issues and class distinctions that shaped their behavior. His work encourages us to reflect on the social norms and power dynamics of his time, and perhaps, our own.