Nous ne nous serions jamais douté tout de même... 1870

Honoré Daumier made this lithograph, titled *Nous ne nous serions jamais douté tout de même…*, a title which translates to *We Never Would Have Suspected*. Daumier was a master of social commentary, and this work offers a glimpse into the political climate of 19th-century France. The print depicts two soldiers, one pointing upwards at a crest bearing an image of a ship. The image reflects the intricate relationship between the military, national identity, and societal expectations. Daumier used his satirical eye to comment on social structures and human behavior. These figures, in their uniforms, embody the working class who are often pawns in the larger games of politics and power. The soldiers' gaze directed towards the crest suggests a mixture of awe and perhaps skepticism towards authority. The title implies a sense of unforeseen revelation, prompting us to consider the narratives we are told. The artwork invites us to question the structures and symbols that shape our understanding of nationhood and belonging.