The New English Restaurants of Paris 1843

Curator: Here we have Honoré Daumier's "The New English Restaurants of Paris." The print likely appeared in a satirical journal. Editor: It's a rather dismal scene, isn't it? Everyone seems terribly uncomfortable. The main character looks downright miserable. Curator: Daumier often critiqued the bourgeoisie. The "English Restaurant" becomes a symbol, really, of cultural and culinary clash, perhaps even anxieties around class. Look at the waiter’s posture, the cheap wine... Editor: And that hat hanging askew on the wall! It seems to point to larger cultural symbols here of aspiration, failed or perhaps just out of reach... it’s quite pathetic. Curator: Exactly, it all speaks to the artist’s perception of a society grappling with rapidly changing tastes and class anxieties reflected in the consumption of food. Editor: Indeed, Daumier's dark humor uses potent symbolism to evoke a sense of unease. It’s a fascinating look into the past.