Allons! mon jeune ami, une bonne poignée... 1841

Honoré Daumier created this lithograph, "Allons! mon jeune ami, une bonne poignée…," in France, a country undergoing immense social and political upheaval. Daumier was a master of social commentary. Here, he presents us with a stark visual contrast between two figures, likely representing different social classes or political ideologies. The taller man, stout and sturdy, firmly shakes the hand of his counterpart, who is thin, eager, and almost comically subservient. Daumier exaggerates their features to emphasize their social positions. This work critiques the social structures of his time, particularly the complex relationships between the bourgeoisie and other social strata. Daumier's work, often published in satirical journals, challenged the institutions of art and politics, using humor and caricature to expose the hypocrisy and inequalities of French society. To understand Daumier fully, we must consider the socio-political context of 19th-century France. Archival research and studies of period newspapers can shed light on the targets of Daumier's satire and the social norms he sought to subvert.