Le jeudi c. 19th century

This drawing by Honoré Daumier depicts a family outside an art exhibition, rendered with the satirical bite characteristic of his work. Observe the top hat, a symbol of bourgeois respectability. It is reminiscent of the headdress of ancient priests, signifying status and authority. Yet, Daumier contrasts this with the family’s apparent reluctance to pay the entry fee. This tension echoes through history. Think of the Roman emperors who adopted the laurel wreath, a symbol of victory and divinity, only to face the mundane realities of governance and mortality. The thwarted aspirations to climb the social ladder evoke a deep-seated unease. Like moths drawn to a flame, the bourgeoisie were drawn to the arts. They seek to elevate themselves through cultural association, yet are held back by economic constraints. The family’s desire to return “tomorrow” speaks to the cyclical nature of aspiration and disappointment, a recurring theme in human experience. This motif returns in countless narratives, each reflecting our collective yearning for something just beyond our grasp.