A bon chat bon rat c. 19th century

This lithograph was made by Honoré Daumier in France, likely in 1840, and is titled “A bon chat bon rat”. The print depicts two women engaged in a physical fight. Daumier was renowned for his satirical commentary on French society. The proverb, "A good cat, a good rat," suggests a tit-for-tat exchange or a conflict where both parties are equally matched. This image would have been distributed through the popular press, and it speaks to the social tensions of the time, perhaps reflecting the struggles and rivalries within the emerging middle class. Daumier often used his art to critique the bourgeoisie, and this print may be a commentary on their values and behaviors. To understand this work more fully, we could research the role of women in 19th-century French society, the prevailing social mores, and the ways in which popular media shaped public opinion. Understanding these connections is vital to uncovering the social meaning embedded in this seemingly simple image.