Fidèles aux vieux usages ... c. 19th century

Editor: Here we have a lithograph titled "Fidèles aux vieux usages..." by Honoré Daumier, created around the 19th century. It’s got this wonderfully sarcastic air, wouldn't you agree? Something about the men's expressions... How do you read this image, and what jumps out at you? Curator: It does have a certain *je ne sais quoi*, doesn’t it? For me, Daumier brilliantly skewers the bourgeoisie with his lithographic wit. Look at the central figure struggling with his waistcoat – a portrait of puffed-up self-importance! And the text underneath, “Faithful to old habits… going twice a week to be shaved by the barber,” just drips with irony. Provincial life clinging to ritual in a changing world. Do you sense that contrast? Editor: I do, especially the phrase "vieux usages" suggesting rigid traditions. Is the caricature style just to be humorous, or is there something more? Curator: Ah, there’s always more with Daumier! It’s social commentary dressed as a joke. Caricature allowed him to exaggerate features and behaviors, making them absurd, and driving home his critique of the complacency and affectation of the upper classes. Romanticism allowed some artistic license. Do you get a sense of unease or perhaps satire? Editor: Definitely satire! Seeing it as a critique, the stiffness of the characters emphasizes the absurdity even more. It feels… timeless. Curator: Exactly. Timeless, because human foibles never really go out of style. That's why Daumier continues to resonate, his satirical barbs hitting their mark across the centuries. It prompts me to ask about which contemporary habit could benefit from his cutting artistic vision. Editor: Oh, so many options come to mind! I appreciate the layers Daumier has – on the surface a funny scene, but underneath, a sharp critique.