Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin College

The Human Comedy: Chronicles of 19th-Century France

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Leisure

KEEPING UP WITH THE LEISURE CLASS During the French Revolution the aristocracy lost many privileges that set it apart from the rest of society. Class distinctions would now be based on money rather than birth. Yet, throughout the 19th century, the aspirational bourgeoisie would seek to emulate the old aristocracy. With industrial expansion and completion of the railway network came new opportunities for tour-ism. Parisians visited the forests of Fontainebleau, boated on the Seine, and escaped to the seaside in the summer. They took advantage of the city’s attractions, strolling along Haussmann’s wide boulevards, stopping in cafés and restaurants, attending the theater, taking carriage rides, or going to the racetracks. Five million people—Parisians, provincials, and foreigners—flocked to the 1855 Paris World’s Fair. For the newly rich bourgeoisie, these activities were opportunities to see and be seen. Conspicuous leisure was a means of asserting one’s social standing.


  1. Voyez-vous bourgeois

    Honoré Daumier (French, 1808–1879) Voyez vous bourgeois, vous êtes justement dans l’age et dans la force... (You see, boss,…

  2. On the Beach at Berneval

    Pierre-Auguste Renoir (French, 1841–1919) On the Beach at Berneval, 1892 Etching Gift of the Oberlin College Art Library, 1949.2…

  3. Un lion de mer

    Honoré Daumier (French, 1808–1879) Un lion de mer (A Sea Lion), 1856 Lithograph Gift of Eugene L. Garbaty, 1954.168 Thanks to…

  4. Enfin...

    Honoré Daumier (French, 1808–1879) Enfin..., je rapporte une grappe de raisin... c'est toujours ça ... (At last…, I’m bri…

  5. Horticulteurs de Vaugirard

    Honoré Daumier (French, 1808–1879) Horticulteurs de Vaugirard allant à minuit... (Vaugirard horticulturists going out at midni…

  6. Le Chasseur prévoyant

    Alcide Joseph Lorentz (French, 1813–1891) Le Chasseur prévoyant (The Provident Hunter), 19th century Lithograph Gift of Eugene…

  7. Sommeil

    Alcide Joseph Lorentz (French, 1813–1891) Sommeil (Sleep), 19th century Lithograph Gift of Eugene L. Garbaty, 1951.87.9 Les lap…

  8. Attention, Mr. Jobard...

    Benjamin Roubaud (French, 1811–1847) Attention, Mr. Jobard votre chien est en arrêt... (Look out, Mr. Jobard, your dog is point…

  9. Summer Evening

    James Tissot (French, 1836–1902) Summer Evening, 1881 Etching Friends of Art Fund, 1969.18 After the Franco-Prussian War (1870-…

  10. Ayant eu l'heureuse idée...

    Honoré Daumier (French, 1808–1879) Ayant eu l'heureuse idée d'aller passer le printemps à la campagne (Having had the pleasan…

  11. Je vous demande pardon...

    Honoré Daumier (French, 1808–1879) Je vous demande pardon si je ne vous ai pas aperçue tout d'abord ... (My apologies for not…

  12. L'acteur des Funambules

    Honoré Daumier (French, 1808–1879) L'acteur des Funambules (The Actor of the Funambules), 1842 Lithograph General Acquisitions…

  13. Que veut cet homme ?

    Paul Gavarni (French, 1804–1866) (Le Prince) Que veut cet homme ?... [(The Prince) What does this man want?], 1838 Lithograph Gi…

  14. L'Amour et sa mère

    Honoré Daumier (French, 1808–1879) L'Amour et sa mère (Cupid and his Mother), 1853 Lithograph Gift of Eugene L. Garbaty, 1954.…

  15. Les Spectateurs

    Clément Pruche (French, active 1831-70) Les Spectateurs pendant l'entr'acte (The Audience during Intermission), ca. 1837 Lithogra…

  16. Les Spectateurs

    Clément Pruche (French, active 1831-70) Les Spectateurs attentifs (The Attentive Audience), ca. 1837 Lithograph Gift of Eugene L.…

  17. Ce qui représente la mer

    Honoré Daumier (French, 1808–1879) Ce qui représente la mer au peuple le plus spirituel de la terre (This is how one represent…

  18. Monsieur Colimard

    Honoré Daumier (French, 1808–1879) Monsieur Colimard si vous continuez à lorgner les danseuses... (Mr. Colimard, if you contin…

  19. Three Cent Soup

    James Abbott McNeill Whistler (American, 1834–1903) Three Cent Soup, ca. 1859 Etching and drypoint Mrs. F.F. Prentiss Bequest, 1…

  20. Qu'est-ce ça ?

    Honoré Daumier (French, 1808–1879) Qu'est-ce ça?... (What is this?...), 1855 Lithograph Gift of Eugene L. Garbaty, 1954.163 T…

  21. Un Dîner chez Véry

    Honoré Daumier (French, 1808–1879) Un Dîner chez Véry [A Dinner at Véry's (Restaurant)], 19th century Lithograph Gift of Fre…