Cabriolet là M'sieu, là M'sieu... c. 19th century

Honoré Daumier's lithograph captures a stark encounter in the Parisian streets of the 19th century. The central motif here is the interaction between two men: one, a well-dressed bourgeois, and the other, a cab driver soliciting his service. Consider the hat, a symbol of status, worn by both men, yet vastly different in style and impact. We see similar contrasts in depictions of masters and servants throughout art history, such as in Diego Velázquez's paintings, where clothing and posture define social hierarchy. The raised eyebrow of Daumier’s cab driver, a gesture of supplication, reminds us of ancient Roman figures pleading for mercy, a primal expression of need. The psychological weight of this image lies in its exposure of social inequalities. This tension between the classes speaks to a universal struggle, a recurring drama played out across history, echoing in modern social commentaries.