"Excuse me! Do You Have Any Manners . . ." 1843

Editor: This is "Excuse me! Do You Have Any Manners . . ." by Honoré Daumier. I believe it's a lithograph, and it depicts a courtroom scene. It looks like an indictment of social norms. What can you tell me about the materials and the making of this piece? Curator: Daumier's choice of lithography, a relatively new and accessible printmaking technique, is crucial. It allowed for mass production and distribution of his satirical commentary. Consider the societal implications of making art available to a wider audience – how does that affect the power dynamics of art itself? Editor: So, the medium itself is part of the message? Curator: Exactly! Daumier uses a commercial medium to critique the very structures of commerce and power he participates in. He is examining labor, materiality, and consumption through his work. Editor: That's a powerful thought – using the tools of the system to critique the system. I hadn't considered that. Curator: By considering the materials and production, we reveal a deeper meaning beyond the immediate image.