A Disagreeable Meeting c. 19th century

Curator: Honoré Daumier, the 19th-century French printmaker, gives us this lithograph, titled "A Disagreeable Meeting." The texture created by the lithographic crayon feels almost agitated. Editor: Indeed, the composition itself seems to amplify that feeling. The sharply receding lines of the boat and water create a sense of unease, a visual tension. Curator: Daumier was a master of social commentary, often using his prints to critique the bourgeoisie. It is probable that we are seeing a clash of classes, in a leisure setting. The steamer is encroaching on their space. Editor: The contrast between the frantic figure at the back and the sleeping one at the front creates an interesting juxtaposition. One is agitated, while the other appears completely oblivious to the encroaching steamer. Curator: His genius was in capturing the essence of the human condition. This lithograph speaks volumes about the tensions and anxieties bubbling beneath the surface of Parisian society. Editor: A masterful arrangement of tone and line. The figures emerge from a sea of cross-hatching. The effect is truly striking.