C'est bien agréable de jardiner c. 19th century

This is "C'est bien agréable de jardiner" by Honoré Daumier, a lithograph offering a wry commentary on rural life. Daumier was a master of social satire, and his work often reflected the experiences and perspectives of the working class in 19th-century France. Here, we see two figures in a garden setting, the contrast between them highlighting the nuances of labor and leisure. One man is cool, calm, and collected. The other appears overwhelmed by the heat. The sweat beads are translated into a halo of frantic energy, as he wipes his brow. The caption reads: "It is very pleasant to garden; but there are days when one is extremely hot!" This image goes beyond a simple depiction of gardening; it touches on themes of social class and the disparities in lived experiences. The two figures seem to represent different classes of people, one being an observer and the other being a participant in gardening as labour. Daumier’s work invites us to consider how activities can be perceived differently depending on one’s social position. It speaks to the emotional and physical toll of labor and the often-unacknowledged struggles of the working class.