The Charms of Traveling on the Topside Bench 1852

Editor: So, this is Honoré Daumier's, "The Charms of Traveling on the Topside Bench." It’s a chaotic scene of passengers on a train, and my first thought is, wow, that looks…uncomfortable. What do you make of it? Curator: Uncomfortable is spot on! Daumier was the master of social commentary, wasn’t he? That topside bench looks like a breezy, but utterly exposed perch. I almost feel sorry for them. Editor: Exposed, definitely. How much of that breeze is wind and how much is… something else? Curator: Precisely! It's Daumier skewering the romantic idea of travel, wouldn’t you say? Editor: Absolutely, I see it now. Thanks!