"I would not have been more surprised if I hadn't seen my hat..." 1849

Curator: Here we have a lithograph by Honoré Daumier, titled "I would not have been more surprised if I hadn't seen my hat...". Editor: Immediately striking is its stark contrast—a somber, almost absurd scene rendered with meticulous hatching. Curator: The artwork presents a social commentary typical of Daumier, focusing on the bourgeoisie during 19th-century France. It was a period of immense change, and Daumier's art spoke to the political climate and daily life. Editor: The exaggerated features—the almost cartoonish quality—serve to amplify the underlying absurdity, a commentary on bourgeois anxieties. Curator: Precisely. Daumier was a master of visual rhetoric. He adeptly captures the socio-political mood through seemingly simple scenes. Editor: It's truly compelling how Daumier uses form to critique societal norms, embedding his commentary within seemingly innocuous scenes.