Le Départ pour le bal 1847

Honoré Daumier made this lithograph entitled "Le Départ pour le bal" – The Departure for the Ball – during a time of significant social change in France. It was a period when the bourgeoisie were solidifying their power and status. Here, Daumier presents a corpulent, middle-aged man dressed as Cupid, complete with wings, a bow and arrow, and a floral crown. His body is humorously rendered, contrasting sharply with the idealized, youthful beauty typically associated with the god of love. Daumier was known for his satirical takes on the middle class and in this piece he is mocking their pretensions and self-importance. The humor relies on class critique. By dressing the bourgeois man in mythological garb, Daumier is highlighting the ridiculousness of the bourgeoisie attempting to assume the trappings of aristocracy, and how that reflects social climbing and cultural aspiration. It’s an emotional tug, inviting laughter but also a deeper consideration of social identity.