"The rain has been falling like this for over an hour, and it doesn't look as if it wants to let up..." 1854

Curator: This is a lithograph by Honoré Daumier, titled "The rain has been falling like this for over an hour, and it doesn't look as if it wants to let up..." Currently, it resides at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It immediately strikes me as a scene of dampened spirits. The use of line—the relentless, diagonal rain—creates a palpable sense of discomfort. Curator: Indeed. Daumier, known for his social commentary, uses the motif of the hunt to explore themes of futility. The ceaseless rain symbolizes life’s persistent challenges. The hunters look so uncomfortable. Editor: Notice how the figures are rendered with such loose, expressive strokes. It's not just about depicting a scene, but about conveying a feeling of resigned weariness. Curator: The dogs, too, heads low, mirroring their masters' dejection. It’s a universal image; the hunt becomes a metaphor for any endeavor thwarted by circumstance. Editor: A powerful reminder that even in pursuit, we are subject to the whims of nature, or perhaps, fate. Curator: Precisely. The rain, an unrelenting symbol, echoes through time.