Heroic Courage of Don Carlos and Miguel 1834

Curator: This lithograph, by Honoré Daumier, is titled "Heroic Courage of Don Carlos and Miguel." What strikes you most about it? Editor: The frenetic energy! These figures, presumably royalty, are fleeing something, but the exaggerated lines and frantic expressions border on the comical. Curator: Daumier was a master of social commentary. In this piece, we see his critique of authority figures. Published during a time of political unrest, the title is dripping with irony. Editor: So, rather than celebrating bravery, he's highlighting cowardice and the absurdity of power? Curator: Precisely. The looming tree in the background could represent the inevitable challenges facing them, or perhaps a symbol of the people they are meant to serve. Editor: The stark contrast and caricature do suggest a power dynamic, one where the heroes are desperately trying to escape the very responsibilities they should embody. It’s quite the statement! Curator: A potent visual indictment of the ruling class. It invites us to consider how power is often masked and what true courage really means. Editor: Leaving me to wonder who the real heroes are.