Hotel de la Marine c. 19th century

Honoré Daumier created this lithograph, titled “Hotel de la Marine,” as part of his “Voyage en Chine” series. During the 19th century, France was expanding its colonial influence in Asia, especially in China. Daumier’s work provides a lens through which we can view the cultural stereotypes and power dynamics that underscored this colonial expansion. Note the depiction of the Chinese figure: the queue hairstyle, the traditional clothing, and the exaggerated features. All contribute to an image that exoticizes and otherizes. What do you make of the European figure studying the bill with a look of discontent, perhaps even indignation? What does it suggest about the relationship between colonizer and colonized? The print subtly mocks European travelers’ expectations and their encounters with different cultural practices. As you consider the artist’s perspective, it prompts us to reflect on the emotional and ethical complexities of cross-cultural encounters. It challenges us to question the narratives we construct about one another and to recognize the importance of empathy and understanding in a globalized world.