The day of the great parade, plate 6 from Les Papas 1847

Honoré Daumier created this lithograph titled 'The day of the great parade, plate 6 from Les Papas', now at the Art Institute of Chicago. The print predominantly features a father and son dressed in military attire, rendered through Daumier's characteristically loose, sketch-like lines. The figures appear to be moving from left to right across the cobblestone street. Daumier masterfully uses hatching and cross-hatching to suggest form and texture, particularly in the clothing and the stone pavement, creating a sense of depth. The characters' faces and postures appear slightly caricatured, which suggests a satirical intent. What's interesting is how Daumier uses clothing as a signifier. Through the military costume, Daumier explores the values and categories of social status and challenges fixed meanings associated with military grandeur. The composition, with its focus on these two figures, encourages us to think about the relationship between generations. Ultimately, Daumier’s print goes beyond surface representation to offer commentary on societal roles and the transmission of values.