Guide, allons-nous-en... au nom du ciel... 1846

Honoré Daumier created this lithograph in France, likely in the mid-19th century. It depicts a fraught journey, perhaps a pointed commentary on the uneasy relationship between guides and their wealthy patrons. Daumier's work often served as social critique, using the visual language of caricature to challenge the status quo. In this piece, the tension between the anxious tourist and the seemingly more grounded guide speaks volumes about class differences and the commodification of experience. Was this commentary self-consciously progressive for its time? To understand Daumier better, we delve into the newspapers and journals that fueled his creativity. We research the social anxieties of 19th-century France, the rise of tourism, and the changing roles within the art world itself. By understanding the historical context, we can interpret this image as a powerful reflection on the social structures of its time.