Adieu, mon cher, je vais chez mes éditeurs... 1844

Honoré Daumier’s lithograph captures a farewell scene; a woman announces her departure to visit her publishers, while her companion remains, engrossed in his morning meal. The woman’s towering hat and elaborate dress mark her status, yet the scene's power lies in its subtle commentary on societal roles and the artist's own. Consider, if you will, the woman’s exaggerated attire, a symbol of the bourgeoisie’s obsession with appearances. This motif echoes in countless images across history, from ancient depictions of goddesses adorned with grandeur to Renaissance portraits flaunting wealth. The act of eating, seemingly mundane, takes on a deeper meaning when we look at the wider scope of Daumier's satirical work. The private act becomes a commentary on public life, echoing through time in art that critiques societal indulgence. Through Daumier’s skilled hand, we see not just a moment, but a mirror reflecting the endless cycle of human behavior and social critique, emotions laid bare on the stone for all time.