"Always beautiful! . . ." 1839

Curator: This is Honoré Daumier's lithograph, "Always beautiful! . . .". Editor: It has such a biting, humorous edge, doesn't it? The elongated features, the exaggerated expressions – it's caricature at its finest. Curator: Absolutely. Daumier used caricature as a tool for social commentary, critiquing the bourgeoisie of 19th century France and their obsession with appearances. Editor: I notice the woman's bonnet—it suggests an almost holy, iconic status, contrasted sharply by the man's knowing smirk, which feels almost devilish. Curator: Precisely. The visual cues point to gender dynamics and social power—the male gaze, the commodification of beauty—all deeply embedded in that historical context. Editor: Seeing Daumier's sharp observation, it makes you wonder, how much have those power dynamics really changed? Curator: Indeed. It's a potent reminder of the societal structures that persist even today. Editor: Well, it seems the symbols embedded within art can speak volumes across the ages.