Pickhardt Vol. V: Charivari Lithographs by Daumier 1839

Editor: This lithograph, "Celebrated Jury of Painting by Daumier, features a group of men scrutinizing artwork. There's a satirical mood, almost mocking. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see echoes of traditional judgement scenes, like the Judgement of Paris, but turned on its head. The 'jury' – the telescope, the compass – suggests reason and science judging art. Is Daumier suggesting these tools can't truly measure artistic value? Editor: That's a fascinating perspective! I hadn't considered the symbolic weight of the instruments in contrast to the art. Curator: The image reveals the tension between subjective experience and objective analysis, a debate that continues to resonate within art criticism today. Editor: I see it now! The lithograph captures a timeless commentary on how we assign value to art. Curator: Precisely. The symbols tell a story that transcends the immediate scene.