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.
Honoré Daumier (French, 1808–1879) Voyez vous bourgeois, vous êtes justement dans l’age et dans la force... (You see, boss,…
Pierre-Auguste Renoir (French, 1841–1919) On the Beach at Berneval, 1892 Etching Gift of the Oberlin College Art Library, 1949.2…
Honoré Daumier (French, 1808–1879) Un lion de mer (A Sea Lion), 1856 Lithograph Gift of Eugene L. Garbaty, 1954.168 Thanks to…
Honoré Daumier (French, 1808–1879) Enfin..., je rapporte une grappe de raisin... c'est toujours ça ... (At last…, I’m bri…
Honoré Daumier (French, 1808–1879) Horticulteurs de Vaugirard allant à minuit... (Vaugirard horticulturists going out at midni…
Alcide Joseph Lorentz (French, 1813–1891) Le Chasseur prévoyant (The Provident Hunter), 19th century Lithograph Gift of Eugene…
Alcide Joseph Lorentz (French, 1813–1891) Sommeil (Sleep), 19th century Lithograph Gift of Eugene L. Garbaty, 1951.87.9 Les lap…
Benjamin Roubaud (French, 1811–1847) Attention, Mr. Jobard votre chien est en arrêt... (Look out, Mr. Jobard, your dog is point…
James Tissot (French, 1836–1902) Summer Evening, 1881 Etching Friends of Art Fund, 1969.18 After the Franco-Prussian War (1870-…
Honoré Daumier (French, 1808–1879) Ayant eu l'heureuse idée d'aller passer le printemps à la campagne (Having had the pleasan…
Honoré Daumier (French, 1808–1879) Je vous demande pardon si je ne vous ai pas aperçue tout d'abord ... (My apologies for not…
Honoré Daumier (French, 1808–1879) L'acteur des Funambules (The Actor of the Funambules), 1842 Lithograph General Acquisitions…
Paul Gavarni (French, 1804–1866) (Le Prince) Que veut cet homme ?... [(The Prince) What does this man want?], 1838 Lithograph Gi…
Honoré Daumier (French, 1808–1879) L'Amour et sa mère (Cupid and his Mother), 1853 Lithograph Gift of Eugene L. Garbaty, 1954.…
Clément Pruche (French, active 1831-70) Les Spectateurs pendant l'entr'acte (The Audience during Intermission), ca. 1837 Lithogra…
Clément Pruche (French, active 1831-70) Les Spectateurs attentifs (The Attentive Audience), ca. 1837 Lithograph Gift of Eugene L.…
Honoré Daumier (French, 1808–1879) Ce qui représente la mer au peuple le plus spirituel de la terre (This is how one represent…
Honoré Daumier (French, 1808–1879) Monsieur Colimard si vous continuez à lorgner les danseuses... (Mr. Colimard, if you contin…
James Abbott McNeill Whistler (American, 1834–1903) Three Cent Soup, ca. 1859 Etching and drypoint Mrs. F.F. Prentiss Bequest, 1…
Honoré Daumier (French, 1808–1879) Qu'est-ce ça?... (What is this?...), 1855 Lithograph Gift of Eugene L. Garbaty, 1954.163 T…
Honoré Daumier (French, 1808–1879) Un Dîner chez Véry [A Dinner at Véry's (Restaurant)], 19th century Lithograph Gift of Fre…