The Railway Restaurant c. 1879

Edouard Manet sketched “The Railway Restaurant” using pen and brown ink, capturing a fleeting moment of Parisian life. Notice the distinct hats: the top hats on the gentlemen, symbols of the bourgeoisie, contrast with the bonnets and caps worn by the women and children. Hats have long signified status, profession, and even mood. Think of the Phrygian cap during the French Revolution—a symbol of freedom—or the veiled hats of mourning. Here, they speak of societal norms and unspoken rules. Manet's quick strokes bring to mind similar scenes depicted by Hogarth centuries earlier, where social commentary was etched with sharp wit. The motif of the 'crowd' appears and reappears in art, mirroring our ever-changing social landscape. It reflects our individual struggles for identity within the collective unconscious. Manet’s sketch captures not just a scene, but an era, echoing through time, reminding us of how symbols shift, adapt, and continue to speak to us across the ages.