Le Charbonnier aime être (est maitre)... 1843

Here is the audio guide script for Honoré Daumier's "Le Charbonnier aime être (est maitre)..." This print by Honoré Daumier depicts two men in a tavern, one a charcoal burner easily identified by his wide-brimmed hat, both indulging in drink. The act of drinking in such an environment transcends mere thirst, embodying camaraderie, escape, and perhaps a fleeting sense of dominion over one's circumstances. Consider the motif of communal drinking throughout history. From ancient symposiums to medieval taverns, the sharing of drink has been a ritual, a social lubricant, and a symbol of shared humanity. Look at the countless paintings across Europe depicting peasants drinking beer and you'll find these men as their descendants. The charcoal burner, however, is no Bacchus. His rough appearance and humble profession place him far from the classical ideals of merriment and abandon. Yet, there's a democratization at play. Despite his station, he finds solace and perhaps a moment of control within these walls, a shared space where social hierarchies momentarily blur. This is not a linear journey, however, but a cyclical return to the primal need for connection and catharsis.