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The First Class Carriage: The First Class Carriage is the rosiest picture of them all and it is as if Daumier were suggesting that life is better in first class. The pastel colours of the women's ribbons are particularly out of character for Daumier and his typical choice of colour palette. As with The Third Class Carriage this painting appears incomplete. | The Second Class Carriage: The Second Class Carriage seems brighter and more spacious. The commuters are closer to the window, which suggests being closer to the outside world, and therefore having more control over one's destiny. Out of this series of works, The Second Class Carriage is the only painting that appears to be finished. Perhaps Daumier was unconsciously signaling his comfort with the second-class. |
The inspiration for this painting came from the railroad itself. The invention and widespread use of the railroad was
but one of the many changes heralded by the Industrial Revolution. Before the Industrial Revolution, most of
mankind lived in feudal societies: there were the upper-class, the peasants and a small middle-class composed of
merchants. The Industrial Revolution did not alter this class dynamic (as suggested by the ranking of the First, Second and Third carriages), but it did change how people fulfilled their roles.
The people in Daumier's The Third-Class Carriage, could be former peasants who travelled to the city in search of jobs and are now struggling to make the ends meet. Daumier portrays working class passengers, though labelled as “third class”, as dignified despite the discomforts of train travel. The painting is recognised as one of the earliest representations of the dehumanising effect of modern transportation and the overall modernisation brought by the Industrial Revolution. Daumier reflects that the city individual is psychologically isolated even when they are shown with others.
but one of the many changes heralded by the Industrial Revolution. Before the Industrial Revolution, most of
mankind lived in feudal societies: there were the upper-class, the peasants and a small middle-class composed of
merchants. The Industrial Revolution did not alter this class dynamic (as suggested by the ranking of the First, Second and Third carriages), but it did change how people fulfilled their roles.
The people in Daumier's The Third-Class Carriage, could be former peasants who travelled to the city in search of jobs and are now struggling to make the ends meet. Daumier portrays working class passengers, though labelled as “third class”, as dignified despite the discomforts of train travel. The painting is recognised as one of the earliest representations of the dehumanising effect of modern transportation and the overall modernisation brought by the Industrial Revolution. Daumier reflects that the city individual is psychologically isolated even when they are shown with others.
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This Blog...
is for giving more information on the key paintings we study in the course. Go from here to expand into further research :)