Arbeider draagt spullen voor twee dames 1846

This lithograph by Edouard de Beaumont depicts a Parisian worker burdened with luggage, trailing behind two elegantly dressed women. The stark contrast between the worker and the women brings to mind the pervasive theme of social stratification. The image, printed in a series called "Les Jolies Femmes de Paris", evokes the ancient motif of the Atlas figure, forever condemned to carry the world on his shoulders. The blindfold on the worker perhaps symbolises his lack of insight into the social disparity that confines him to his arduous task. Consider, for instance, how this resonates with depictions of slaves in antiquity or even mythical beasts of burden. This visual language transcends time, appearing in various forms, from classical sculptures to contemporary political cartoons. Each iteration reflects underlying societal tensions, echoing humanity’s collective memory of inequality.