Ah! docteur... je crois... que j'suis poitrinaire! 1847

Honoré Daumier's drawing presents a scene rife with social commentary. Here we see a doctor in a dark suit attending to a rotund patient in striped pajamas, who exclaims, "Ah! doctor... I think... I'm consumptive!" Daumier was known for his caricatures of French society, especially during the July Monarchy and the Second Empire. His art often critiqued the bourgeoisie and explored themes of class, power, and the human condition. The visual contrast between the concerned, upright doctor and the slumped, self-diagnosing patient speaks volumes about the perceived power dynamics within the medical profession and the anxieties of the middle class. The idea of consumption, or tuberculosis, carried significant weight, especially in the 19th century. It was associated with both the working classes and romanticized notions of illness. Daumier captures a poignant moment that reflects broader societal attitudes toward health, class, and self-perception. The patient's exaggerated pose and the doctor's composed demeanor invite us to consider our own vulnerabilities.