Chap. VI: Je ne pouvais pas aller à pied (I no longer walk anywhere) 1824

This print, "Chap. VI: Je ne pouvais pas aller à pied (I no longer walk anywhere)," was created by Victor Adam in the 19th century. Made with lithography, the artwork presents us with a stark, linear composition dominated by grayscale tones. The scene depicts a gentleman preparing to mount a horse, assisted by a young stable worker. Adam’s use of line is precise, creating a sense of depth and texture. The composition is neatly structured, emphasizing the social dynamic. The gentleman, in his top hat, stands as a signifier of bourgeois comfort, while the stable worker embodies a stark class contrast. The title challenges fixed notions of social mobility, hinting at the idea that for some, physical elevation is more than just a literal act. The artist's deliberate arrangement encourages us to decode how class and identity are constructed and communicated through visual cues, offering a commentary on societal structures and power relations.