"Very good, very good, you are driving perfectly . . . " c. 19th century

Curator: This is Honoré Daumier's lithograph, "Very good, very good, you are driving perfectly . . . ". The composition is striking. Editor: Indeed, the somber tone is immediately apparent. There's a clear power dynamic depicted here. Curator: Note Daumier’s strategic use of chiaroscuro, emphasizing the corpulence of the central figure relative to the subdued figures in chains. Editor: It’s hard not to interpret this work through the lens of political commentary, thinking about the subjugation of marginalized groups throughout history. Curator: The linearity and hatching create a stark contrast, adding to the satirical effect. Editor: It certainly offers a potent reminder of how visual art can function as a powerful instrument of social critique and resistance. Curator: A provocative analysis. Editor: And a necessary one.