Un citoyen exaspéré par les buffleteries c. 19th century

Curator: What strikes you first about Daumier's lithograph, "Un citoyen exaspéré par les buffleteries," dating from the 19th century? Editor: The dynamism. The figure’s wild gesture, all furious angles and exaggerated motion. The strong contrasts in tone further heighten the sense of drama and disorder. Curator: Absolutely. Daumier created this work during a period of intense political and social upheaval in France. As a print, it could be widely circulated, serving as pointed social commentary against the bourgeoisie's perceived indifference to the struggles of ordinary citizens. Editor: It's intriguing how Daumier uses line work. The frantic, almost scribbled quality gives the image a raw, immediate feeling, as if capturing a fleeting moment of explosive emotion. Note how his technique draws attention to the bulging eyes, wild hair and collapsing suit. Curator: The caricature is central. He was commenting on social and political life through art, challenging authority figures and questioning the status quo. "Buffleteries," which roughly translates to "nonsense," is key. The citizen is enraged that even after Louis-Philippe's reign ended, he is still dealing with petty annoyances. Editor: The way Daumier distorts the figure, stretching and exaggerating certain features while minimizing others, also heightens the emotional intensity. Look at the curve of the sword against the agitated sprawl of limbs; such an energetic composition! Curator: Prints like these were critical to shaping public opinion at the time. Daumier expertly used satire to engage the public, offering a critical lens through which to view their leaders and society. He highlights their self-absorption as he reflects back an attitude to his contemporary audience. Editor: It's impressive how Daumier achieves such power with a relatively simple medium like lithography. The restricted palette forces you to focus on the raw emotion and message being conveyed. This print certainly possesses a vital immediacy. Curator: I find it to be such a compelling commentary on the lasting effects of societal change, as even revolutions often leave mundane frustrations behind. Editor: Indeed, the artist's grasp of visual rhetoric really brings to life the angst and chaos he seeks to depict.