Leçon d'équitation, haute école 1846

Honoré Daumier, with his characteristic skill, presents us a scene of domestic role-play, sketched in lithograph, where a child mimics the mastery of horsemanship, typical of the haute école tradition. The most striking symbol here is the whip—a diminutive hand wields it, echoing the historical dominance asserted through equine control. Consider how this small figure, brandishing the whip, recalls images of emperors and generals atop their steeds. Yet, the stage is set not in a grand arena, but amongst scattered toys. This juxtaposition evokes a psychological space where the child's subconscious merges play with the primal assertion of power. The simple act of play becomes a cultural echo. This image resonates deeply within the collective psyche, stirring memories of control, discipline, and the complex dance between power and innocence. It is an exercise in recollection, as this symbol of domination resurfaces in the innocent mimicry of a child's game, transformed yet still potent.