Nouveau système de pendule ... c. 19th century

Editor: This lithograph by Honoré Daumier, from around the 19th century, is titled "Nouveau système de pendule…," which I believe translates to “New clock system...” The sheer number of clocks in the background makes me feel almost claustrophobic. What do you see in this piece? Curator: For me, it speaks volumes about 19th-century Parisian society and its obsession with industrialization and, specifically, time. Daumier often used his art to critique the bourgeoisie, wouldn't you agree? The presence of so many clocks, alluding to the importance of being on time, highlights the constraints imposed by this burgeoning industrial era on the every day lives. Editor: Yes, the top hats and bourgeois attire are quite telling. But what's with the worried-looking child at the front? Curator: That child is probably there as a symbol of how those pressures extended even to children. This also likely speaks to Daumier's interest in capturing genre scenes in the context of the universal exposition. Also consider, how are public institutions contributing to this perceived obsession? The ‘Exposition Universelle,’ is highlighted on the print - which in turn brings to mind larger conversations about the function of a 'world fair', what is being shown to the world? And perhaps what anxieties might arise during these times of global and industrial progress? Editor: That makes a lot of sense. It's more than just a funny picture; it's a snapshot of societal anxieties at that time. I hadn’t thought about it in terms of the ‘world fair’ framing of the work. Curator: Exactly! Daumier used caricature to make people consider the broader social impact of seemingly simple concepts, like time and labor. These clocks, and the universal expo context for their consumption, can be viewed as institutions reinforcing values of progress. I find Daumier's focus particularly powerful. Editor: I learned to think more about socio-political impacts on display in genre paintings and the powerful social commentary.