Echtgenoot ziet zijn vrouw wandelen met neef 1837

This lithograph by Honoré Daumier, now at the Rijksmuseum, captures a tense domestic drama. The central figure, the cuckolded husband, stands with arms crossed, embodying a potent symbol of betrayal, visible throughout art history. The gesture of crossed arms speaks volumes. Think of depictions of mourning figures throughout antiquity. They reappear in countless contexts, signifying a withdrawal, a silent defense against an emotional blow. The motif of the cuckolded husband, often symbolized by horns, is an ancient one. The horns, like a wound, a mark of shame. This links to primal fears of loss and social ridicule, resonating across cultures and epochs. Daumier uses this universal visual vocabulary to tap into deep-seated anxieties. The scene is not merely an illustration but an enactment of cultural memory. This symbol of betrayal continues its non-linear journey, resurfacing in art, literature, and our collective psyche, each time colored by the ever-shifting tapestry of human experience.