Équitation boutiquière 1839

"Équitation boutiquière", a lithograph by Honoré Daumier from 1839, depicts a humorous scene of two Parisians riding a single horse. Daumier, a renowned social satirist, was known for his incisive commentary on the lives of ordinary people. This piece, likely part of his series "Les Parisiens", captures the absurdity of fashion and social pretension, with one rider precariously perched atop the horse's rump. Daumier's characteristic use of strong lines and shading emphasizes the awkwardness and comicality of the scene, highlighting the hypocrisy and contradictions of Parisian society. The artwork's satirical nature invites viewers to consider the social dynamics of 19th-century France, particularly the aspirations and challenges of urban dwellers.