“- What a fortunate encounter! It's my dear Stanislaus whom I haven't seen since we were in the sixth class together at Landernau.... in these times we used to share everything.... Things should be the same again, could you lend me 20 or 25 Francs?,” plate 2 from Les Amis 1845

This lithograph by Honoré Daumier, titled “What a fortunate encounter!” depicts a reunion laden with irony. Note the clasped hands of the figures, a motif echoing gestures of fraternity and alliance seen across centuries. The motif of clasped hands has roots in ancient Roman art, symbolizing concord and loyalty. It reappears in medieval depictions of oaths and treaties, signifying agreement and trust. Yet, here, the gesture is undercut by the grasping intent revealed in the text. What once signified genuine connection has devolved into a charade of camaraderie, masking a thinly veiled request for money. Observe how Daumier uses this symbol of unity to expose the fracturing of social bonds under economic pressure. It serves as a poignant reminder that symbols are not fixed; their meanings are fluid, shaped by context and human intention. The subconscious power of such a symbol, so ingrained in our collective memory, heightens the sense of betrayal and disillusionment. These motifs remind us of the cyclical nature of human experience, where ideals are constantly tested and often found wanting, only to re-emerge, transformed, in new historical contexts.