“- Finally we obtained the division of property between husband and wife... - about time, there was no more money left to divide,” plate 3 from Les Avocats Et Les Plaideurs 1851

This lithograph by Honoré Daumier, from his series “Les Avocats Et Les Plaideurs”, presents two lawyers after settling a marital dispute. Daumier created this series during a period of significant social and political change in France, reflecting the shifting dynamics within family structures and legal systems. The print encapsulates the intersection of gender, class, and legal power, offering a critique of the economic realities faced by women within marriage. With the sardonic caption, Daumier draws attention to the emotional toll of protracted legal battles, and comments on the financial strain such proceedings placed on families. Daumier was known for his satirical commentary on the bourgeoisie, but here, we see an earlier approach to the theme of social injustice. The artist invites us to consider the emotional weight of financial dependence and marital conflict. While Daumier's figures may seem like caricatures, they illuminate deeper truths about the human condition.