“- Don't worry, Eleonore... it's nothing, it's just a little wind announcing the arrival of spring,” plate 34 from Croquis Parisiens 1857

Editor: This is a lithograph on paper from 1857 titled "- Don't worry, Eleonore... it's nothing, it's just a little wind announcing the arrival of spring," plate 34 from *Croquis Parisiens*, created by Honoré Daumier. There's such an immediacy to it, you can practically *feel* the wind and rain. It's almost painful how expressive their faces are. What do you make of it? Curator: Ah, Daumier. He understood the comedy and tragedy of city life perhaps better than anyone. Look at the swirling lines; that isn’t just rain and wind, is it? It's the chaos of modern life bearing down on them. They’re battling the elements, literally, and yet he frames it with a quote about springtime's arrival! Isn't it ironic? Editor: It’s definitely a sarcastic spring greeting! Like, "Happy spring, now hold onto your hat!" Do you think this juxtaposition of weather and sentiment suggests something about Parisian society at the time? Curator: Absolutely! Think about it. Post-revolution France: new wealth, burgeoning industry, but also social upheaval and anxieties. The upper classes tried to ignore the grime and chaos, but the satirical press wouldn't let them. Daumier’s work acts as social critique, revealing the absurdity and, often, the misery lurking beneath the polished veneer. You see that anxiety etched onto Eleonore’s face, don't you? It's priceless. Editor: So it’s like Daumier's saying, "Don't worry, Eleonore... just kidding, *everything's* awful, but pretty soon, maybe, it'll be nice." Curator: Exactly! He holds a mirror up to their struggles. It reminds me of a very melancholic circus act, full of clowns and wry, knowing glances. I like how it balances critique with compassion. What do *you* feel after spending time with it? Editor: I definitely see the commentary now, but more than that, it's made me think about how artists can use humor to tackle the things that bother them most. A potent mix.