Nous voila libres ... c. 19th century

Honoré Daumier created this lithograph, "Nous voila libres ...," a commentary on the social and political climate of 19th-century France. Daumier was known for his satirical works, often using his art to critique the bourgeoisie and the government. This image presents a butcher and his wife in a state of distress. The caption translates to "Here we are free... what is going to become of us?... now we only need to set the sheep and oxen free too!" In post-revolutionary France, there was a lot of talk about liberty, but there was also economic uncertainty. Daumier captures this tension, highlighting the anxieties of the working class amidst promises of freedom. It reflects anxieties about livelihood, questioning who truly benefits from the new social order. The butcher and his wife represent the everyday people caught in the crosscurrents of political change and economic survival. Daumier invites us to consider the emotional and personal dimensions of political and economic upheaval.