The Wells of Grenelle. “And these scoundrels of chemists are claiming that it is good for children to bathe in the wells of Grenelle! Here is Dodolphe who has turned more green than an apple.... one hardly knows whether he is a lizard or a toad,” plate 37 from Moeurs Conjugales 1841

Curator: This lithograph by Honoré Daumier, titled "The Wells of Grenelle" from 1841, part of the series "Moeurs Conjugales," presents a rather satirical view of domestic life. It's currently housed at The Art Institute of Chicago. Editor: Immediately, the melodrama of it grabs me! The father's pose—it's almost operatic in its despair! And the kid… clearly not thrilled with his spa day. You can almost feel the chill of that supposed healing water through Daumier's frantic lines. Curator: Precisely. Daumier was known for his sharp social commentary. The print highlights the anxieties of bourgeois society regarding new scientific theories, particularly in the context of public health. Note the caption which indicates a criticism of chemists claiming it's good for children to bathe in the Wells of Grenelle and that Dodolphe turned more green than an apple from doing so. Editor: Right! The parents look skeptical and disturbed, while this poor, pasty-faced child looks like he is turning into a newt! It's wonderfully absurd, as if bathing in the Grenelle was a step on an evolutionary scale towards something cold and clammy. The dad, especially, is beautifully grotesque, don't you think? Like a tragic cartoon. Curator: He masterfully exaggerates their features to emphasize their perceived ignorance or blind faith in trends. He also uses the print to highlight the changing social dynamics. The public bath as an arena for scientific intervention is an attempt to modernize parenting. Editor: You almost wonder what's worse, the water or the father's grip! But, looking closer, the scratchy texture he gets with lithography lends an immediacy and rawness, almost like a contemporary meme skewering overzealous wellness trends. A snapshot of cultural hysteria that strangely resonates. Curator: Indeed, Daumier's brilliance lies in making these very specific anxieties broadly relatable, connecting them to wider debates around science, progress, and parental fears. He certainly anticipated the wellness world, wouldn't you agree? Editor: Absolutely. It really shows that skepticism towards expert opinion—and the things we inflict on our poor kids!—is eternal. Well, I think I’ll stick to a nice, boring, chemical-free shower, thanks! Curator: Perhaps, after examining this artwork, a cautious approach is certainly warranted. Thank you.