On flaire la marchandise... avant de la mécaniser!... 1839

"On flaire la marchandise... avant de la mécaniser!..." is a lithograph by Honoré Daumier from 1839. Daumier was a prolific French artist and caricaturist known for his satirical and often critical depictions of society. The lithograph shows a butcher holding a piece of meat in front of a woman’s nose as she grimaces, suggesting the unsavory quality of the product. The scene exemplifies Daumier's talent for social commentary, which is typical of his satirical works, like this one. Daumier's work often focused on the lives of the working class and the wealthy elites, exposing their hypocrisy and corruption. This particular lithograph is a commentary on the meat industry in Paris, and highlights the poor quality of the meat, as well as the lack of sanitation and hygiene in the industry. The lithograph’s title, “On flaire la marchandise... avant de la mécaniser!..." translates to "One sniffs the merchandise... before mechanizing it!..." This suggests that the mechanization of the meat industry is a possible solution to the problems of poor quality and lack of sanitation.