"It's really some trouble to have us killed!" c. 19th century

Curator: Daumier's "It's really some trouble to have us killed!" is such a gut-wrenching piece. The raw emotion jumps right off the page, doesn't it? Editor: It really does. This lithograph by Honoré Daumier is powerful, and I feel like I'm looking at the aftermath of a brutal event. What historical context am I missing, to appreciate the deeper meaning of this artwork? Curator: Well, Daumier was a master of social commentary. This piece likely references the July Revolution of 1830, those "morts pour la liberté," the dead for liberty, you know. He captured the absurdity and the waste of life inherent in political upheaval. Do you sense that irony, that bitter edge? Editor: I think so, yes. The title definitely adds to that sense of irony. It almost feels like a sarcastic comment on the sacrifices made. Curator: Exactly! And that pretzel on the ground... some say that's Daumier's signature, a wry little stamp on the tragedy. Editor: I never would have noticed that! It's fascinating how much can be packed into a single image. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. It's those details, those little touches, that make Daumier such an enduring voice, isn't it?