Un rappel de chanteuse ... c. 19th century

Here we see a lithograph by Honoré Daumier called "Un rappel de chanteuse...," or "An Encore for the Singer." The image comes to us from 19th century France, a time of great social upheaval. The singer is receiving a standing ovation in the form of flowers thrown on stage. The man escorting her offstage appears somewhat sinister. Daumier's images often critiqued Parisian institutions. Here he seems to be commenting on the Opera, which served as a place for the aristocracy to display wealth. We can imagine the man escorting the singer is one of her wealthy benefactors. The flowers, though symbols of adoration, litter the stage in a somewhat grotesque manner. The singer's expression suggests she is simply going through the motions. Does Daumier suggest the institution is corrupting her? These kinds of questions are best answered through careful consideration of the economic structures of Parisian society, for example. Art history gives us the tools to understand the stakes of representation.