L'heure de la rentrée en classe c. 19th century

Honoré Daumier, a master of social satire, likely made this lithograph in France sometime in the mid-19th century for publication in a journal. Daumier's art offers a window into the turbulent political landscape of 19th-century France, with its revolutions, social unrest, and evolving class structures. Here, we see a bell-ringing figure, presumably a schoolmaster, ushering a reluctant group into the classroom as other figures outside enjoy the last moments of summer, flying kites in the background. What do we make of the master’s outsized head and bell, and the diminutive stature of the students? And what is the significance of their apparent lack of enthusiasm? Daumier had a critical view of the bourgeoisie and their institutions. He believed that the institutions of art and politics were often used to uphold the status quo and silence dissenting voices. In this image, is Daumier commenting on the state of education in France? As historians, we must consider the socio-political context in which Daumier was working to fully understand the impact of his art. Research into educational practices, political debates surrounding schooling, and the role of caricature in public discourse would all enrich our understanding of this image.