'Béarnaise'-omnibus onderweg 1830

Victor Adam's 'Béarnaise'-omnibus onderweg is a print that offers a window into 19th-century Parisian life. Adam, born in 1801, lived through a period of significant social and technological change, with the rise of industrialization reshaping urban landscapes. The print captures a moment of transition and, in so doing, it invites a conversation about the evolving dynamics of class and accessibility. The omnibus, a symbol of modernity, offers a service primarily for the bourgeois, although there is still manual labor involved. While the passengers inside enjoy relative comfort, outside workers hustle. Adam's print invites us to consider the emotional experience of this changing world, especially the increasing division of labor and the ways in which progress can create both opportunities and disparities. The print serves as a reminder that progress is not always evenly distributed.