Ah! Vous l'êtes ... que voulez-vous que ... c. 19th century

Honoré Daumier made this lithograph depicting a lawyer and a working-class man during a time of significant social upheaval in France. Daumier was deeply engaged with the political and social issues of his time, particularly the plight of the working class. Here, we see a stark visual contrast between the two figures. The lawyer, in his formal attire, stands as a symbol of authority and the established order, while the working-class man, hat in hand, embodies vulnerability and perhaps desperation. The text translates to, "Ah! It's you... what do you want me to do about it?". It encapsulates a sense of helplessness and injustice. Daumier's choice of lithography allowed for the easy reproduction of his images in newspapers and journals, ensuring that his social commentary reached a wide audience. He was, after all, deeply invested in giving voice to the disenfranchised. In this image, Daumier invites us to consider the power dynamics at play, as well as the human cost of social inequality.