"I was in too much need of an omnibus, but as soon as it starts raining, they all seem to disappear as if by magic." from the Little Miseries of Human Life 1843

Editor: This is a lithograph, a drawing actually, by J. J. Grandville from 1843, titled "I was in too much need of an omnibus, but as soon as it starts raining, they all seem to disappear as if by magic." The title alone kind of gives me a rueful, maybe even humorous feeling. I’m curious, what does it spark in you? Curator: Well, that title speaks to a universal truth, doesn’t it? We’ve all been there, haven’t we? Stranded, watching opportunity vanish in the rain! I see a commentary on urban life, those fleeting moments of frustration and irony. There's the scramble of the figures trying to hail a ride – so very human, so delightfully flawed! Makes you wonder what modern-day "omnibuses" do we find magically disappearing these days? Think about that dopamine rush you get hitting 'Add to Cart' and the item is *suddenly* sold out… Editor: Ha! That hits home. So, it's about relatable frustrations then? The everyday annoyances? Curator: Absolutely! It's capturing the "little miseries" as the series suggests – a touch of social satire, a wink at the shared experience. Also, think of it in the context of Romanticism - even in depicting such ordinary scenes, Grandville evokes a heightened emotional landscape. A raindrop, a missed bus, it’s practically a tragedy! Editor: A tragedy, but kind of funny too, right? I mean, look at that guy leaping! Curator: Precisely! Grandville doesn't just observe, he invites us to laugh with, and perhaps a little *at*, ourselves. Now, what do you suppose gives the scene that almost surreal feel, aside from its comical edge? Editor: Maybe it's how everyone's sort of... isolated in their own little rainy worlds, even when they’re all crammed together? Curator: Excellent observation. The artist emphasizes the sense of loneliness even in a crowd, using humor as the veil. It is both a humorous situation and lonely one simultaneously. And, honestly, isn't that just life? Editor: Wow, I hadn’t thought of it that way. Makes the print a lot more poignant. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure! It’s those everyday struggles that really unite us. Now, where's that mythical Uber when you actually *need* one?!