The Young Courier 

Honoré Daumier made this drawing, "The Young Courier," with pen and gray ink and gray wash on paper. Daumier was a master of social observation, and here he captures a sense of urgency. The boy, likely working as a messenger, is caught in mid-stride, his face conveying a sense of purpose. The image reflects France in the 19th century, a time of rapid urbanization and industrial growth. The rise of a market economy demanded the quick transmission of news and documents, creating a demand for couriers. Daumier's choice of subject matter elevates the working class, who are often absent from the high art of painting and sculpture. Daumier also worked as a printmaker for the satirical journal Le Charivari, where he mocked the bourgeoisie and the political elite. His sympathies clearly lay with the common man, and his art challenges the established social order. Art historians have used sources from newspapers to court records to reconstruct the world that Daumier captured in his art. This helps us understand how the political landscape shaped Daumier's work and the role of art in critiquing the status quo.