A Ghastly Trio 1852

Editor: Here we have Honoré Daumier's lithograph, "A Ghastly Trio." The raw energy of the performers really jumps out at me. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Consider Daumier's context: 19th-century printmaking, a booming industry. Lithography allowed for mass production, making art accessible. This image, created using readily available materials, speaks to the commodification of culture and the labor involved in its creation. The rough lines and exaggerated features, how do you think those play into this idea? Editor: I guess it shows how art production can sometimes be rough around the edges. Curator: Precisely! It challenges notions of artistic refinement, and highlights the means of production, making a statement about art's role in society. I have learned a lot.