The Collector of Cigar Stubs. “When will these buggers finally have finished smoking! They're bailiff's clerks; they smoke until the ashes are left. No way to squeeze a centime out of them,” plate 4 from Bohémiens De Paris 1841

Editor: Here we have Honoré Daumier’s 1841 lithograph, "The Collector of Cigar Stubs," part of his "Bohémiens de Paris" series. It's striking how Daumier captures the man's almost predatory stance. What’s your interpretation of this work? Curator: Daumier masterfully uses caricature here, but not merely for humor. Consider the socio-political context: the July Monarchy in France, a time of increasing industrialization and vast social inequalities. Daumier often critiqued the bourgeoisie. Do you see how the cigar stub collector embodies the anxieties of the working class scraping by on the leftovers of the wealthy? Editor: I see it now. The two men smoking are oblivious, but he's totally consumed with gathering their scraps. It feels very unequal. Curator: Exactly. This print acts as a social commentary. Note the collector's hunched posture, his ragged clothing, and the greed in his eyes, a sharp contrast to the nonchalant figures in the background. Daumier suggests a system that dehumanizes those struggling at the bottom. How does this reflection change your initial perception? Editor: It's much darker than I originally thought! It seemed like a quirky street scene, but it's a scathing indictment of class division. Curator: Daumier uses his art to shine a light on injustice, compelling viewers to question the status quo. The very act of collecting these stubs points to a desperate economic reality and a subtle form of resistance. The full title also indicates his bitterness towards these office workers smoking their cigars to the very end! Editor: So, beyond just showing us poverty, he's prompting us to think about why it exists in the first place and consider systems of power and the economics of smoking! Thank you for sharing that insight. Curator: Indeed, this piece acts as a potent reminder that art is intrinsically connected to culture and historical narrative. It challenges us to engage critically with the world around us.