Artwork
Ah! You Think Your Wife Does Not Provide Enough for You, Villain. . . .

Ah! You Think Your Wife Does Not Provide Enough for You, Villain. . . . is a print by the Romanticist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1841 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 1925.1224
- Credit line
- Gift of The Print Club of Cleveland
About this work
This print shows a man in a coat and hat pointing at a woman who looks tired. The caption reads: "Ah! You think your wife does not provide enough for you, villain..."
Daumier used prints like this to mock marriage duties in 19th-century France. He drew for Le Charivari, a funny news sheet.
Look up Honoré Daumier (French, 1808–1879) next.
Overview
This 1841 print, titled "Ah! You Think Your Wife Does Not Provide Enough for You, Villain....", is part of the series "Matrimonial Customs" published in the French satirical newspaper Le Charivari. It depicts a domestic scene with a man and a weary-looking woman.
Subject & Meaning
The print satirizes marital responsibilities in 19th-century France, specifically targeting the dynamics of economic provision within marriage. The man's accusatory gesture towards the tired woman highlights societal pressures and gender roles.
Technique & Style
Executed by Honoré Daumier, the print reflects his characteristic use of simple, expressive lines and everyday subject matter, typical of his work for Le Charivari. The simplicity of the image underscores the universality of the satirized situation.
History & Provenance
Originally published as plate 38 in Le Charivari on June 6, 1841, the print was part of Daumier's regular contributions to the newspaper, leveraging satire to comment on contemporary French life.
Context
Created amidst the social and economic changes of 19th-century France, the print taps into the era's concerns with domesticity, gender roles, and the challenges of everyday life, reflecting Daumier's role as a social commentator.
Legacy
As part of Daumier's prolific output for Le Charivari, this print contributes to his legacy as a pioneering figure in social satire, influencing future generations of artists and caricaturists in addressing societal issues.
Artist & collection
Artist
Honoré-Victorin Daumier (French: ; 26 February 1808 – 10 or 11 February 1879) was a French painter, sculptor, and printmaker, whose many works offer commentary on the social and political life in France, from the…


















