Excursion Train from Paris to St.-Germain -- Second Class Car 1852

Curator: This is Honoré Daumier's "Excursion Train from Paris to St.-Germain -- Second Class Car," housed at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's a beautiful nightmare! So cramped, so claustrophobic. The faces are wonderfully grotesque. Curator: Daumier was a master of social commentary. Notice how each figure is individualized, yet they're all trapped in this shared experience. The train, a symbol of progress, also highlights social divisions. Editor: The fellow in the top hat seems utterly miserable despite his presumed status. Maybe money can't buy happiness, or at least a comfortable train ride! Curator: Indeed! Daumier uses caricature to expose the ironies and absurdities of modern life. The exaggerated features reveal inner states. Editor: I love how the artist uses the black ink to render the depth of their experience. It's like you can feel the weariness of a long journey. Even if it is a “pleasure train.” Curator: I notice the cultural significance in Daumier's ability to render the psychological weight on each face with a kind of dark humor. Editor: It certainly gives one pause to think about the shared human experience, even in less-than-ideal circumstances. I find the piece deeply moving.