Zingende vrouw met gitaar in café 1837

Honoré Daumier created this lithograph, "Singing Woman with Guitar in Café," sometime in the 19th century. Daumier was a French printmaker, known for his satirical caricatures of French society. Here, we see a woman in what appears to be a working-class dress, complete with a bonnet and apron, playing the guitar. She seems to be singing in front of a rather unimpressed audience in a smoky café. Daumier’s work is rich with social commentary, often skewering the bourgeoisie. The woman's positioning in the foreground draws attention to her gender and class. She is performing, arguably for her supper. Daumier was deeply engaged with the political and social issues of his time. Through his art, Daumier gives voice to the experiences of ordinary people, capturing both their struggles and their resilience. This lithograph offers a glimpse into the lives of working-class women in 19th-century France.