A Difficult Navigation c. 19th century

Curator: Honoré Daumier's lithograph, "A Difficult Navigation," now residing at the Harvard Art Museums, depicts two men seemingly struggling to pull a boat. Editor: My first thought? It's a delicious slice of everyday frustration. The line work is so energetic, you can almost feel their weariness, the weight of the task. Curator: Indeed! Daumier often used his art to satirize the bourgeoisie, so one might interpret this scene as a commentary on their aspirations and the often-laborious reality beneath the surface. Editor: Perhaps that's it. The physical labor clashes so starkly with the idea of leisure. It strikes a chord about the realities that underpin the veneer of society. Curator: Daumier’s commentary is timeless. Editor: Absolutely, an astute and relatable observation.