“- Difficult to imagine that in my days I also was an acclaimed Spanish dancer... nowadays only my castanets are Spanish... what a drag...,” plate 11 from Croquis Dramatiques 1857

This lithograph by Honoré Daumier, part of his Croquis Dramatiques series, presents a satirical view of Parisian society. It depicts an aging woman, reminiscing about her past as a Spanish dancer, while a younger dancer performs in the background. Made in France, a cultural hub for art and theatre, Daumier’s work reflects the socio-political climate of mid-19th century Paris. The title of the work, inscribed below the image, makes reference to the woman's past, suggesting a critique of nostalgia and the fleeting nature of fame. Daumier uses caricature to comment on the social structures of his time, highlighting themes of aging, memory, and the performative aspects of identity. His work often appeared in journals like Le Charivari, offering social commentary to a wide audience. To fully appreciate Daumier's lithographs, one can delve into periodicals of the day, scrutinize theatrical reviews, and explore the social history of 19th-century Paris. Only then can we understand how Daumier challenged the norms of his time.