Bien venu qui apporte c. 19th century

This lithograph, "Bien venu qui apporte," was made by Honoré Daumier, a French artist known for his satirical commentary on 19th-century French society. The image presents a proverb, commenting on the social currency of gift-giving. The artwork encapsulates the complex social dynamics of the time. We see a well-to-do man, bearing gifts, being greeted obsequiously by a woman, while a working-class figure toils in the background. This arrangement highlights the class divisions that Daumier frequently addressed. Daumier's prints often appeared in journals like "Le Charivari," and were thus subject to censorship, especially when they targeted the bourgeoisie or the ruling class. By looking at period publications and censorship records, we can better understand the specific social critiques Daumier was making and how they were received. Studying the visual language and its original context allows us to appreciate Daumier's role as a social critic.