“- Now what? Are we going to continue hunting during the rain? - Not at all! The animals are just as afraid of the rain as we are. They might not be able to find this shelter, and we would end up losing too many of them!,” plate 5 from Croquis De Chasse 1859

This lithograph, plate 5 from Croquis De Chasse, was created by Honoré Daumier in the 19th century. The composition is dominated by a darkly shaded interior, where two figures are seated with their dog. The monochromatic palette and textured shading create a somber mood, emphasizing the figures’ rugged appearance and the rustic setting. Daumier uses the interior space to create a semiotic interplay between shelter and exposure, highlighting the figures' dependence on nature. The interplay of light and shadow renders a sense of intimacy, almost as if we are entering a private sanctuary. The rough textures and unrefined lines of the lithograph serve to destabilize traditional notions of beauty. This artwork invites us to see beauty and significance in the everyday, inverting typical social hierarchies. By focusing on the ordinary moments of working-class life, Daumier transforms conventional aesthetic values, suggesting that true art lies in its capacity to reflect and elevate the experiences of the masses.