"The rippling water seems to be mocking our misfortune." from the Little Miseries of Human Life

Art Historical Context

This 1843 wood engraving, titled “The rippling water seems to be mocking our misfortune,” belongs to the series *Little Miseries of Human Life*. It shows two fishermen gazing in dismay at their tangled lines and the mocking ripples on the water, turning an ordinary outing into a comic mishap. The image gently lampoons the small disappointments that interrupt everyday pleasures. The print reflects the collaborative world of nineteenth-century French illustration. J. J. Grandville supplied the witty imagery, while engravers such as Henri Fournier and Quichon translated his designs into wood engraving—a technique prized for its crisp lines and ability to be printed in large editions for books and journals. The result is both sharp and affordable, allowing satire to reach a broad public. Today the sheet resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection of drawings and prints. Its modest size and lively subject remind visitors that even the simplest scenes can reveal the humor and resilience found in life’s minor setbacks.

About the Artist

Henri Fournier|Paul-Emile-Daurand Forgues|J. J. Grandville|Quichon (French|French|French) · 1813 | |1803 –1883 | |1847

French, Paris 1813–1883 Cannes| |French, Nancy 1803–1847 Vanves