Les Malheurs du chimiste Dumas

Honoré Daumier

National Gallery of Art

This is an illustration featuring a cherub-like figure interacting with various animal figures within a whimsically-framed scene. The central figure has wings and a human face, seen engaging with a horse behind vertical bars or a fence. To the left, a giraffe's head appears over a wire fence, and a dog with exaggerated features looks through the same fence. A bird in flight is positioned above the scene. The picture is bordered by ornate decorations and swirling motifs, and the use of line and shading adds movement and depth to the image.