"Let's not go into this restaurant..." 1857

Editor: This lithograph, "Let's not go into this restaurant..." by Honoré Daumier, presents a family pausing before a restaurant window. There’s an immediate sense of unease, a reluctance perhaps. What can you tell me about the context of this piece? Curator: Daumier often used his art as social commentary. This image, like many of his works, likely critiques bourgeois society and their attitudes toward class and consumption. The child’s plea and the parent's hesitation suggest a concern about the restaurant’s offerings – "shrimps!", and perhaps, anxieties about social status and affordability. Editor: So, the "shrimps" are a symbol here? Curator: Exactly. They represent a certain kind of dining experience and the social pressures associated with it. What do you make of the family's expressions? Editor: They seem apprehensive, maybe even disgusted? I hadn't considered it as a statement on social pressures. Curator: Daumier used these everyday scenes to expose larger societal issues. It's a potent blend of art and social activism.