O qu'ils sont laids! 1836

Honoré Daumier created this lithograph, "O qu'ils sont laids!", a mirror reflecting societal perceptions of beauty and ugliness. Observe the figures above, adorned with symbols of status, each exaggerated to the point of caricature. This inflation of the self, of what one projects to the world, has been seen throughout the ages in myriad forms, from the elaborate headdresses of ancient royalty to the puffed sleeves of Renaissance nobility. Note the leering expressions of the figures below. This simian-like mob, in their uninhibited scrutiny, suggests the base instincts that are masked by the veneer of civility. This dichotomy echoes through art history; consider the grotesque figures in medieval gargoyles or the distorted faces in Expressionist paintings. They serve as a reminder of the shadow self that lurks beneath the surface. Such imagery strikes a chord deep within us, stirring unease and self-reflection. These faces are powerful forces that continue to engage us on a subconscious level. The cyclical progression of these symbols resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings in different historical contexts.