Ils vont un train d'enfer ... c. 19th century

"Ils vont un train d'enfer ...," created by Honoré Daumier around the 19th century, depicts a caricature of two figures walking away from a train in the distance. This lithograph is a satirical commentary on the impact of industrialization on society. Daumier, known for his social and political commentary, uses the train, a symbol of progress, to highlight the anxieties and hardships faced by ordinary people during this period. The exaggerated features and postures of the figures contribute to the humorous and critical tone of the work. Daumier's use of lithography, a printing technique that allowed for mass reproduction, made his work accessible to a wide audience, further amplifying his social critique.