A Guest at a Dinner of Horsemeat Eaters 1865

Curator: Honoré Daumier's lithograph, "A Guest at a Dinner of Horsemeat Eaters," is a rather biting commentary, wouldn't you say? Editor: Absolutely! The stark contrast in expressions, especially the guest's horrified look next to the host's eagerness, is unforgettable. What kind of statement do you think Daumier was trying to make with this piece? Curator: Consider the political context. This work likely references the siege of Paris in 1870-71 when Parisians were forced to eat unusual meats like horse due to food shortages. Daumier's work challenges the viewer to consider the lengths people go to in times of crisis, and who profits from that desperation. Does this prompt you to think differently about it? Editor: It does, it shifts the focus from disgust to a critique of social inequality and the desperation of the time. That's a powerful takeaway. Curator: Exactly. Art can be a mirror reflecting uncomfortable truths and challenging us to question the narratives we inherit. Editor: I'll definitely remember that. Thanks for shedding light on the historical context behind it.