Frappez et on vous ouvrira! c. 19th century

This lithograph, "Knock and it shall be opened unto you," was created by Honoré Daumier in 1850 for the French publication, Actualités. Daumier was known for his satirical commentary on French society and politics. Here, we see a caricature of a woman, presumably Madame Elisabeth de Hogrie, knocking on the door of the Académie Française with a book under her arm, presumably of her own writing. The Académie Française, historically an exclusive all-male institution, served as the official authority on the French language. Daumier’s caricature critiques the social and gender barriers within the French literary establishment. We see class and gender intertwining in his depiction, which highlights the struggle for recognition faced by women in the male-dominated world of arts and letters. The woman's determined expression contrasts with the closed door, evoking a sense of exclusion. The image compels us to reflect on the ways in which cultural institutions reinforce or challenge existing societal hierarchies, reminding us of the ongoing struggle for equality and representation.