Country Amusement. “- Monsieur did not want to wait for his nephew; and Madame thought it might soon start raining, but he didn't really bother. - What an old miser! - Don't you worry, Mother Poirier, he'll pay dearly for that... more than the market price! - And right she is isn't she!,” plate 59 from Moeurs Conjugales 1842

Honoré Daumier created this lithograph, "Country Amusement," a plate from his "Moeurs Conjugales" series, sometime in the mid-19th century. It cleverly encapsulates social commentary through a seemingly simple scene. Daumier was a master of using visual codes to critique French society. Here, we see a well-to-do couple departing, observed by gossiping women. The contrast in their attire and implied social standing speaks volumes about class divisions in France at the time. Daumier, working during a period of significant social upheaval, often used his art to comment on the bourgeoisie and their interactions with the working class. His work appeared in journals like "Le Charivari," reaching a broad audience. This print reflects Daumier's progressive stance, subtly challenging the established social order through satire. To understand Daumier better, one could explore the archives of "Le Charivari" and delve into studies of 19th-century French social history.