Le Vieux Pécheur 1839

Honoré Daumier, a master of social commentary, likely created "Le Vieux Pêcheur" as a lithograph for a Parisian publication. It's a snapshot of 19th-century Parisian life, seen through Daumier's critical yet empathetic gaze. The print depicts two men fishing in what appears to be the flooded streets of Paris, each embodying a different class. One man, presumably of lower class, is knee-deep in water. The other, dressed in a top hat, floats effortlessly in the background. This juxtaposition isn't just a commentary on class division; it's a commentary on the social and economic disparities that were so palpable in Paris at the time. As Daumier explains in the description of the print: the fisherman “is independent, persevering and resigned. Adversity does not discourage him.” Daumier captures not just a scene, but the mood of a city grappling with change and inequality. It serves as a reminder of the ever-present struggles for survival and dignity.