Robert Macaire, Beggar c. 19th century

Curator: Here we have Honoré Daumier's "Robert Macaire, Beggar." It's difficult to date precisely, but this lithograph is held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Oh, what a fascinating image! It feels almost theatrical, this contrast between the dapper gentlemen and the… well, less-than-fortunate souls lingering in the background. Curator: Daumier's work often explored social satire through printmaking, accessible to a broad public. Note the emphasis on clothing and caricature—commentary on class distinctions, certainly. Editor: Absolutely, there’s a narrative tension. That little dog, too, feels like a prop in their exchange. What commentary is Daumier making? Curator: Perhaps about performance, the constructed nature of social roles. This was an era of rapid industrialization, so anxieties about authenticity and class mobility were ripe. Editor: It all speaks to a very precarious reality, beneath the veneer of those top hats. I'm left with a sense of discomfort. Curator: I think you've hit on something. It's a powerful piece. Editor: Indeed. It's stayed with me.