“- And to think that Prudhon did not want us to attend the socialist banquets.... the poor man has never loved..... he totally ignores that it is the woman's presence which beautifies existence,” plate 184 from Actualités 1849

This lithograph by Honoré Daumier was made in France as part of his series Actualités. Daumier was renowned for his satirical commentary on French society, and this work is no exception. The print depicts a domestic scene, a woman standing over a seated man, seemingly engaged in conversation. The text below the image references Prudhon, likely the socialist theorist Pierre-Joseph Proudhon, and socialist banquets. Through the woman's words, Daumier critiques Prudhon's views on women, suggesting that he doesn't understand the beautifying presence of women in social gatherings. The print engages with the social and political debates of its time, particularly concerning the role of women in public life and the socialist movement. To fully understand the image, we need to look at the history of French socialism, the debates around gender, and the role of art in social critique. Historical archives and publications from the era would provide valuable insights. The meaning of art is always contingent on social and institutional context.