Qu'est la femme aujourd'hui dans la société ... c. 19th century

Honoré Daumier's lithograph "Qu'est la femme aujourd'hui dans la société..." captures a moment of fervent political engagement during a period of social upheaval. The image reflects France in the 1800’s, a time marked by burgeoning socialist movements. Here, Daumier depicts three women, presumably socialists, caught in a moment of impassioned discussion. One woman gestures dramatically, seemingly reciting from a document, while the others look on with rapt attention. The print offers a glimpse into the often overlooked role of women in political movements. The lithograph challenges the conventional representations of women in art and society. Rather than passive subjects, these women are portrayed as active participants in the political discourse of their time. The inscription underneath the picture reads: "...what is woman today in society? Nothing! She must be everything!" The artwork invites us to consider the intersection of gender, class, and politics, and it resonates with the ongoing struggle for equality and recognition.