Le regulateur c. 19th century

Honoré Daumier's lithograph, titled "Le régulateur," presents us with a monochromatic study of social critique through form. The composition centers on a figure meticulously adjusting his watch, set against a subtly textured background. Daumier employs line and form to convey a sense of rigid precision, seen in the man's posture and the sharp angles of his attire. The contrasting use of light and shadow, achieved through the lithographic process, accentuates the figure's features, lending a satirical edge to his portrayal as a bourgeois archetype obsessed with punctuality. This work speaks to broader societal concerns about industrialization and the rise of a bourgeoisie class. The act of regulating one's time becomes emblematic of a culture fixated on control and order. Daumier's mastery lies in how he uses the formal elements of the print to both capture and critique the values of his time.