M. Prud'homme: Je ne monte jamais ... c. 19th century

Honoré Daumier created this lithograph depicting Monsieur Prudhomme around 1844, capturing a moment fraught with social commentary. The raised index finger of the conductor is not merely a gesture; it echoes throughout art history, from classical rhetoric to religious iconography. It’s a symbol that speaks to a sense of authority, like the hand of God in Renaissance paintings, directing mortals. Here, Daumier uses it to highlight the tension between individual preference and societal order. Prudhomme, with his cane, stands as the epitome of bourgeois self-importance. These symbols, interwoven, reveal the deeply rooted human drama playing out on the stage of daily life. The image engages viewers on a subconscious level, evoking feelings of anxiety. Ultimately, Daumier reminds us that symbols are fluid, ever-evolving, and deeply intertwined with our collective psyche.