-Christ...the beautiful woman!... -Oh my god, I... the handsome man!... (this last sentence was translated from Chinese by Lassagne). 1858

Curator: Let's discuss Daumier's lithograph, "-Christ...the beautiful woman!... -Oh my god, I... the handsome man!..." currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. The dimensions are approximately 22.5 by 25.7 centimeters. It's immediately striking with its caricatured figures. Editor: Striking, yes, but also quite crude in its execution. The lithographic process feels rushed, emphasizing the materiality of the greasy crayon on the stone. What can you tell us about Daumier's process? Curator: Daumier used lithography extensively for social commentary. Observe how the exaggeration amplifies meaning. The composition, with its contrasting figures, reveals a clear visual hierarchy. The title itself provides a vital semantic framework. Editor: Indeed, the title combined with those faces suggests a satirical commentary on cultural misunderstanding and objectification, perhaps related to colonial encounters, and the power dynamics at play during lithography’s widespread distribution in the 19th Century. Curator: Precisely. Daumier's formal choices guide us toward a reading of power and perception. Editor: And the rapid production of lithographs made this kind of pointed commentary accessible to a wide audience. Fascinating.