The Salesman's Hoax. – A Design Out of Fashion. "This kind of fabric has a delightful shade; Madame is the first to whom I have shown it.... all our young women are going to tear each other apart for it. What a charming design.... it would look marvellous on such an elegant form.... you absolutely need this, Madame," plate 2 from Les Carottes 1844

Honoré Daumier created this lithograph, “The Salesman's Hoax,” with ink on paper. The composition, defined by contrasting areas of light and shadow, immediately draws our eye to the interaction between the salesman and the matronly figure. Daumier masterfully uses line and shading to create a sense of depth and texture. The cross-hatching technique in the shadows provides a stark contrast to the smoother, lighter areas, emphasizing the duplicity of the salesman's pitch. The salesman, with his sleek attire and persuasive posture, represents the emerging capitalist values that Daumier often critiqued. He embodies the figure of modernity, preying on the desires and insecurities of his clientele. Meanwhile, the woman, with her old-fashioned dress, might symbolize the values of a previous era being challenged by the new modern world. Consider the composition and form: Daumier’s lithograph is more than just a scene; it is a commentary on the shifting societal values. This challenges us to decode the layers of meaning embedded within the artwork.