Madame Greluche: “Oh, Gustave, how good! A real soothing warmth! Look at our son Loulou; the cute face he makes!” Mr. Greluche: "And Pyramus, he is afraid, afraid like a dog. If you only knew what he is doing right now, the little rascal,” plate 4 from Les Baigneurs 1839

This lithograph, "Madame Greluche" by Honoré Daumier, presents us with a scene rendered in stark contrasts of light and shadow, immediately drawing our attention to the caricatured figures emerging from the water. The composition, a careful balance of forms and voids, evokes a sense of satirical observation. Daumier masterfully uses line and texture to depict the Greluche family. The coarse strokes define their features, exaggerating their expressions and physiques. The linear patterns create a visual rhythm that underscores the humor and social commentary inherent in the scene. Reflections on the water destabilize the figures, creating a sense of unease and distortion. Daumier’s use of form and line not only conveys a satirical narrative, but also prompts us to question the conventional representations of bourgeois life and consider the underlying structures of social critique embedded within his art. The play of light and shadow, the deliberate distortion of form, all contribute to a complex interplay of meaning.