"Well done! That's how to do a tie." 1839

Curator: Honore Daumier, a prominent figure known for his satirical lithographs, is the artist behind this artwork. The title? "Well done! That's how to do a tie." Editor: The immediate feeling I get is one of sly humor—there's something quite theatrical about this character preening himself. Curator: Daumier often employed caricature to critique the bourgeoisie. The tie here becomes a symbol of status, a carefully constructed performance. Editor: It's interesting how the figure seems almost disembodied, elongated, existing solely to uphold a certain ideal of masculine elegance that is ultimately quite absurd. Curator: He is a self-made man, or perhaps a man trying to make himself. The tie is a performative act, linking to societal expectations and visual signifiers of self-worth. Editor: Exactly, it’s a reflection on the ridiculous rituals of societal status. It suggests that appearances matter more than substance. Curator: Daumier really captured the era's shifting values, didn't he? Editor: Absolutely. It's a cynical, yet enduring, commentary.