Cocher conduisant son fiacre 1895 - 1905

Frédéric Houbron created this pencil drawing of a coach driver, titled “Cocher conduisant son fiacre,” sometime between 1851 and 1908. Houbron lived during a period of significant social change in France, including rapid urbanization and industrialization. Here, the coach driver is portrayed with dignity. His top hat and cloak are markers of his profession, but they also suggest a certain social standing. What does it mean to be a worker during this era? The drawing invites us to consider the role of labor and class in shaping individual identities, and how societal expectations can influence how we see ourselves and others. The coach driver is also looking off into the distance, perhaps lost in thought. This quiet moment of reflection underscores the human aspect of his daily work, reminding us that every individual has their own unique story and inner life, regardless of their position in society.