"Don't startle him, Eudoxie...he's about to land...he takes my nose for a rose!" 1846

Curator: Honoré Daumier's lithograph, "Don't startle him, Eudoxie...he's about to land...he takes my nose for a rose!", presents a rather unflattering depiction of a bourgeois couple. Editor: The stark contrast between light and shadow immediately establishes a satirical, almost mocking tone, wouldn't you agree? Curator: Daumier often employed caricature to critique the values of the French middle class. Consider how the scale and exaggerated features undermine any sense of dignity. Editor: Indeed. His critical perspective shaped public opinion, challenging the social order through visual commentary. Curator: The composition cleverly draws the eye to the absurd interaction, highlighting the man's oblivious self-importance and his wife's weary tolerance. Editor: It's a pointed commentary on class and societal expectations, executed with a surprisingly delicate use of line and shading. Curator: Absolutely, Daumier's work serves as a powerful reminder of art's ability to challenge and shape our understanding of society.