Mr. Filochard, Ex-Merchant... 1847

Curator: This lithograph is by Honoré Daumier, a French printmaker, caricaturist, painter, and sculptor, titled "Mr. Filochard, Ex-Merchant..." Editor: The rendering of form, especially the elongated noses, is almost grotesque, yet somehow still feels controlled and precise. Curator: Daumier was a master of capturing social commentary through visual means. Here, the scene depicts a retired merchant having his bust sculpted. Editor: Note the stark contrasts in the drawing, particularly the delicate shading on the faces against the stark white of the bust. It's a fascinating formal choice. Curator: The image highlights the aspirations of the bourgeoisie to immortality through art, a pursuit Daumier often satirized. The print itself, part of "Les Bons Bourgeois", would be widely distributed. Editor: I see a sort of dark humor in the overall composition, enhanced by the stark lighting and exaggeration of features. It's a visual satire. Curator: Exactly, and through this piece we can understand Daumier's critiques of the art world and its relationship to social status. Editor: A telling piece, viewed through the lens of Daumier's technique, it clearly represents the tension between representation and caricature.