An Oasis in the Middle of the Plain of St. Denis, plate 5 from Tout Ce Qu'on Voudra 1847

"An Oasis in the Middle of the Plain of St. Denis" is a lithograph by Honoré Daumier, created in 1847 as part of his series "Tout Ce Qu'on Voudra." This satirical print depicts a man and woman sitting on a patch of grass under a tree, seemingly the only bit of shade and respite in a vast, barren landscape, playing on the literal meaning of the word "oasis" and its connotations with rest and relaxation. Daumier was known for his social commentary through caricature, and in this piece, he uses the couple's contrasting postures and expressions to highlight the realities of life in 19th-century France. The woman, seemingly engrossed in her reading, contrasts with the man's weary and dejected posture, further emphasizing the themes of social inequality and the pressures of life in urban environments.