11 heures du matin 1839

Honoré Daumier made this lithograph titled "11 Heures du Matin" as part of a series called "La Journée du Célibataire," or "The Bachelor's Day." The social context of 19th-century France plays a crucial role here. Daumier was known for his sharp social commentary, and this work critiques the bourgeoisie and their social rituals. The bachelor, dressed in the attire of a well-to-do gentleman, seems to be caught in an awkward, windswept moment, a condition heightened by the presence of his dog. Daumier subtly challenges conventional representations of masculinity. Rather than portraying the bachelor as powerful or composed, he reveals him as somewhat hapless and disheveled. There is a sense of vulnerability in his stance and expression. Through this scene, Daumier invites us to consider the emotional and performative aspects of social identity, suggesting that societal expectations can often lead to moments of absurdity.