Prudhomme obligé de prendre des leçons... 1867

This lithograph by Honoré Daumier depicts Prudhomme struggling on horseback, while a figure above him brandishes a whip. This scene is filled with potent symbols of power and control. The whip, a symbol of authority and dominance, has a long history, from ancient Roman charioteers to equestrian displays of the 19th century. Its use here evokes a complex interplay of social hierarchy and personal struggle, reminiscent of equestrian statues depicting powerful rulers controlling their steeds. Consider the image of a rearing horse tamed by a skilled rider, and how it symbolizes the rational mind mastering primal instincts, as seen in classical sculptures of Alexander the Great on Bucephalus. Here, however, Daumier inverts this trope. The lithograph suggests a deep psychological tension between mastery and submission, tapping into our collective memory of social dynamics and personal anxieties. It embodies a powerful emotional drama, resonating with viewers across time.