Train de plaisir, dix degrés d'ennui et de mauvaise humeur, from Tirage Unique de Trente-Six Bois Possibly 1862 - 1920

Charles Maurand created "Train de plaisir, dix degrés d'ennui et de mauvaise humeur" using wood engraving techniques. The print is dominated by a composition of four figures seated in what we understand to be a train carriage, all rendered in stark black and white. The artist employs hatching and cross-hatching to create tonal variations, capturing the texture of clothing and the somber mood. The faces of the passengers are etched with expressions of profound boredom. This speaks to the industrial age, where advances in transportation led to new forms of travel but not necessarily to joy. Maurand challenges the values associated with leisure. The artist uses the repetition of lines and forms to represent the monotony of travel. The window offers a glimpse of the outside world but fails to alleviate the prevailing sense of ennui, inviting us to reflect on the changing relationship between people, technology, and nature. The strategic use of light and shadow not only sculpts the forms but also reinforces a sense of confinement, reflecting on how technological advancement shapes the human experience.