"I'm sure that it's at least twenty degrees below freezing!" 1855

Editor: This print by Honoré Daumier, titled "I'm sure that it's at least twenty degrees below freezing!" really captures a feeling of miserable cold. What can you tell me about the social context of this work? Curator: Daumier was a master of social commentary. His prints, widely circulated in newspapers, often satirized the bourgeoisie. The discomfort we see here likely reflects his criticism of their sometimes-frivolous pursuits, like hunting, even in harsh conditions. Editor: So, it’s a critique of the upper class's pastimes? Curator: Precisely. He uses their apparent dedication to hunting in extreme weather to subtly question their priorities and perhaps even their common sense. The dog seems to agree! What do you make of that? Editor: That makes the image even more humorous and cutting. I'll definitely look at Daumier's work differently now. Curator: Indeed. Art often holds up a mirror to society, reflecting its values and shortcomings.