A quoi pensez-vous, M. Piquepruneman, de m'avoir ... c. 19th century

Here we see Honoré Daumier’s lithograph which presents us with two figures rendered with sharp, deliberate lines, setting a tone of stark confrontation. The figures are placed within a minimalist setting where the architectural backdrop is suggested through sparse lines. The composition emphasizes a dialogue of contrasts. On the left, the exaggerated form of Monsieur Piquepruneman with his arms crossed and imposing stature contrasts with the more subtly sketched figure on the right. Daumier’s use of line varies, thickening to add weight to the character’s displeasure and thinning to create spatial depth. This piece challenges fixed meanings, engaging with debates on social identity and class distinctions in 19th-century France. The exaggerated caricature can be understood through semiotics, where each distortion acts as a signifier of social critique. The lithograph thus goes beyond mere illustration, functioning as a complex commentary on power dynamics.