Moi, j'ai habitude de ne ... rien donner c. 19th century

Curator: Here we have an early lithograph by Honoré Daumier, a French artist renowned for his satirical commentary on 19th-century French society. It's called "Moi, j'ai habitude de ne... rien donner," or roughly, "I am accustomed to never... give anything." Editor: Oh, it has that instantly recognizable Daumier gloom, that dark Parisian atmosphere. It feels so weighty, like all the city's problems are swirling right there at that little café table. The line work looks really frenetic. Curator: Exactly. Daumier masterfully uses the lithographic crayon to create dense, almost oppressive shadows. Look at the haggard faces. There's a critique of social miserliness lurking here, would you agree? It connects to broader concerns about poverty, inequality... Editor: Miserliness...that feels like a kind word, haha. This piece is pure cynicism! "Encouraging celibacy," indeed. More like encouraging a whole lot of grim faces and bad coffee. It speaks to that particularly ugly strain of human behavior: justifying cruelty with a veneer of moral high ground. And the way he renders those expressions… almost animalistic! Curator: I'd say the Romanticist style contributes to that intensity as well. Look how exaggerated the features are—it verges on caricature. Daumier really pushes the emotional and psychological impact through visual exaggeration. But note that there is also line work in here. It must have been applied with a pen. Editor: Right, because the image wouldn't hit so hard if he was too slick. Also the way that guy drinking something or other has an expression like he's on his fifth day of it. Curator: This piece is part of a series, you know, "Les Habitués des Cafés"—"Café regulars". So it's tapping into recognizable social types, recurring behaviors… it's a study of these figures as they populate Paris's coffee houses. Editor: And a reminder that some human patterns, sadly, repeat throughout history. Though I like to imagine it might be different today, it always reminds me of someone at my old writing place in Paris with their coffee. You either gave tips to a bunch of grumpy faces or lived with an uncomfortable weight. Curator: I agree that it captures something timeless. It’s really a profound blend of realism and emotionally charged commentary, wouldn't you say? Editor: A grim reminder, as potent now as then. Maybe more coffee's in order for both of us now...