Ne laissez donc pas votre ami dans cet état la! c. 19th century

This is “Ne laissez donc pas votre ami dans cet état la!” by Honoré Daumier, a lithograph likely created in the mid-19th century, a period marked by significant social upheaval in France. Daumier was a keen observer of Parisian life, and his work often critiques the bourgeoisie. In this piece, we see a well-dressed man attempting to support a disheveled, older man, while another lies prone in the background. The caption hints at the heart of the piece, highlighting the intersection of class and social responsibility. The stark contrast in attire and condition between the figures underscores the economic disparities of the time. Daumier masterfully uses caricature to expose social truths, inviting us to reflect on the empathy, or lack thereof, within different strata of society. He challenges the viewer to consider their role in a society deeply divided by economic status, and asks us, then as now, to confront the precarity of human dignity.