Ell me plait beaucoup ... c. 19th century

This lithograph is by Honoré Daumier, one of the most important social satirists of 19th-century France. It offers a window into the complex societal norms and gender dynamics of 1852 Paris. At the forefront, we see two bourgeois men, identifiable by their top hats and formal attire, observing a woman in the background. The caption translates to: "She pleases me very much this little lady there... although she resembles my wife!". This juxtaposition highlights a societal hypocrisy, where men publicly adhere to marital fidelity, yet privately engage in objectifying women. Daumier, through his caricatures, critiques the performative aspects of bourgeois morality. The woman in the background, drawn with less detail, symbolizes the object of the men's gaze, and the power dynamics inherent in their interactions. This image prompts a reflection on how gender, class, and social expectations intersect to shape individual behavior and societal values.