Oh! p'pa... la belle femme! 1846

Honoré Daumier made this lithograph, titled "Oh! p'pa... la belle femme!" in 1846. It's a commentary on bourgeois life in France under the July Monarchy, a period defined by its focus on economic prosperity. Here, we see a father and son pausing before a shop window to admire a mannequin. The title, "Oh! p'pa... la belle femme!" suggests the child's innocent admiration, but Daumier uses this simple scene to critique the values of the time. The father, presumably a member of the bourgeoisie, is presented as distracted by the display, perhaps indicating the superficiality of his class. Daumier was known for his caricatures, often published in satirical magazines like "Le Charivari." These prints offer invaluable insights into the social and political climate of 19th-century France. By studying publications like these, and consulting historical archives, we can understand how Daumier used art to critique the social structures of his time, challenging the norms of a society obsessed with appearances and material wealth.