Allons bon!... voila les grafignons... 1845

Curator: Ah, Daumier! Let’s talk about this lithograph from 1845. It’s called "Allons bon!... voila les grafignons…" which roughly translates to "Good heavens!... here come the scribblers..." A real mouthful, I know! Editor: Scribblers indeed! The whole scene practically shouts sarcasm. Look at this couple, elevated, stiff as can be. And in the distance, this rabble of waving arms and top hats! It feels like an ambush in slow motion. Curator: Absolutely! Daumier’s commentary here is so sharp. These ‘scribblers’ represent, well, us! The critics, the commentators… anyone daring to pass judgment. And Daumier is, of course, poking fun at their expense. He was a master of social satire. Editor: The body language says it all, doesn't it? The husband's absurdly raised hat – is he waving, or threatening? And the wife, resigned, almost shrinking. You feel this wave of self-importance colliding head-on with artistic rebellion. Daumier paints with the ink of defiance. Curator: And consider where it’s set – some fancy overlook. Are they posing, enjoying the view, or deliberately ignoring what's going on below? The elite versus the… well, the less elite. The "scribblers," or rather, perhaps those who celebrate creative ideas are in this case a nuisance in the background. The whole thing hints at class struggle! Editor: It’s that classic Daumier tension, isn't it? This perpetual battle between respectability and creative chaos. He captured a slice of Parisian society here, and did so while somehow suggesting an absurdist stage play. I feel like this piece isn’t just criticizing critics—I feel this applies today and also encourages dialogue! Curator: You're so right. It makes you wonder about our own biases, doesn't it? Who do we consider "scribblers," and why? And who decides? A beautiful challenge presented here. Editor: Precisely. It’s a good reminder that even art critics shouldn’t take themselves too seriously! Let’s see… off to the next canvas.