"Do you see, little one, you're wrong..." 1849

Curator: Honoré Daumier's lithograph, "Do you see, little one, you're wrong..." presents a seemingly simple domestic scene. The original resides here at Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The contrast of light and dark creates a somber mood. Notice the man’s gaunt figure as he prepares food. What does this say about the materiality of labor? Curator: It's a pointed social critique published during a period of significant political tension. The artist subtly comments on the role of political discourse in everyday life. Editor: The image's title seems to suggest a forced or indoctrinated perspective. It prompts us to consider the shaping of views, especially among young people. Curator: Indeed, the print implicates the viewer in a societal conversation, where class structures influence opinions. Editor: This print reminds me of the tangible conditions under which ideologies are constructed and disseminated. Curator: Precisely, and Daumier’s work helps us see how art can be a catalyst for social change and reflection. Editor: Yes, art can reveal that the political is often embedded in the daily grind.