Ça n'empêche que ça vaut encore mieux.... c. 19th century

Editor: This lithograph is by Honoré Daumier, made in the 19th century. The title translates to "That Doesn't Prevent it From Being Worth More...", which seems to imply the relationship of this couple. It's a cozy domestic scene, but something feels a little… biting. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The biting humor absolutely lies in the juxtaposition of tenderness and… confinement. Notice the couple, nestled in their chairs, seemingly content. The cat in their lap is clearly favored. Yet, observe the caged birds, and even the parrot on its stand. Don’t they evoke a sense of being…trapped, or perhaps overly managed? Editor: I see what you mean. It’s like the comfort is also a kind of gilded cage. The pets stand in contrast, receiving all the love, where the cartoon caption hints that relatives might exploit you! Curator: Precisely. Consider the cultural context. In 19th-century France, family dynamics and social expectations were rigid. Daumier often used caricature to critique those societal norms. The pets become symbols of dependence but also perhaps of unconditional love, a refuge from the potentially mercenary motives of family. What feeling do you glean from this refuge of pets? Editor: So the animals become stand-ins for genuine affection, compared to the “grigou” family. And the lithograph technique adds to that sense of biting satire, making it accessible for wider circulation. Curator: Exactly. The mass-produced print medium allowed Daumier’s social commentary to reach a broad audience. It's a potent combination of accessible art and pointed cultural critique. Editor: I hadn’t considered the impact of the medium itself. It is less a simple snapshot, and more a considered argument on society. Curator: That's right. These repeating forms become an allegory of familial expectations against the realities of comfort found in the domesticated. Editor: This has shown me the power of cultural critique using animals and metaphor. I see much more beneath the surface now!