Toujours la comète c. 19th century

Here we see Honoré Daumier's lithograph "Toujours la comète" created in 1857, which captures a domestic scene rendered in stark monochrome. The texture is defined by the artist's use of hatching, creating strong contrasts. The composition focuses on the interaction between two figures. A man sits absorbed in his newspaper, contrasted by a standing woman who leans in, her face etched with concern. This juxtaposition is staged against the backdrop of a traditional fireplace, whose clock suggests the passing of time. The print's title, combined with the figures’ expressions, creates a narrative about anxiety and expectation. The comet operates here as a signifier of uncertainty and fate. We understand that this work, though formally simple, reflects deeper cultural anxieties about future events. It is less a depiction of individuals than an embodiment of societal unease and its representation in daily life.