Nouvelle mode anglaise c. 19th century

Honoré Daumier created this lithograph, titled ‘Nouvelle mode anglaise,’ capturing social commentary through contrasting scenes. The composition is divided horizontally. Above, crisp lines define a scene of three well-dressed figures partaking in a shared drink with straws, embodying the 'new English fashion.' Their posture and attire suggest affluence, accentuated by the careful linework. Below, the 'old French fashion' depicts two individuals in disarray, rendered with looser, more chaotic strokes. One rests their head heavily, while the other drinks directly from a mug, portraying a stark contrast. Daumier employs line as a signifier of social class and modernity versus tradition. The clean, precise lines above convey order and sophistication, whereas the rougher lines below suggest a breakdown or decay of traditional values. This division, beyond mere aesthetics, critiques societal shifts and the adoption of foreign customs. The visual dichotomy challenges fixed notions of progress, questioning whether new is inherently better.