Un monsieur qui se rajeunit c. 19th century

Honoré Daumier created this lithograph titled "A Gentleman Rejuvenates Himself" at a time when Paris was rapidly changing. The image depicts a man attempting to dye his hair, a humorous commentary on the societal pressure to maintain a youthful appearance. Daumier was working during the rise of the bourgeoisie in France, and his art often satirized their values and behaviors. This particular work critiques the vanity and superficiality that he saw in the upper classes, and perhaps a bit of their anxiety in the face of shifting social norms. Daumier's work appeared regularly in the satirical magazine Le Charivari, using humor as a means to engage with the political and social issues of his time. To fully understand his art, we can look to publications like Le Charivari, and the historical context of 19th century France. This kind of approach shows us that the meaning of Daumier's work is very much of its time.