An Exaggerated Rejuvenation. “Just two or three sessions with me, Monsieur, and anyone who still claims to find a grey hair on you, is a malicious person.” As a matter of fact, since the end of the second session, Monsieur's head looks as shiny as that of a newborn baby, plate 52 from Les Beaux Jours De La Vie c. 1845

Editor: We're looking at "An Exaggerated Rejuvenation…" a lithograph by Honoré Daumier, dating back to about 1845. The subject seems to be the act of trimming someone's hair, but the expressions are making me chuckle, especially the patron's gaze at his reflection. What do you see in this print? Curator: I observe the sharp contrasts in line that define Daumier’s caricature, note especially how this tension lends dynamism to the composition. Focus on the shapes, if you will, the rounded chair back plays with the more angular barber and her client. What does this visual rhythm suggest to you? Editor: The shapes and the high-contrast really guide your eyes all around the image, the chair and mirror frame your gaze to the man’s face! Is there a balance happening there, of figure and ground? Curator: Precisely! The interplay of light and dark areas creates visual interest and serves to underscore the caricature. What strikes you about Daumier’s rendering of human form? How does he abstract reality to express deeper meaning? Editor: Well, it’s a far cry from idealized portraiture, that’s for sure! But he seems interested in capturing expressions that hint at vanity and perhaps a bit of skepticism on the client's part, which echoes in the barber's intense focus. The title definitely contributes to this narrative too! Curator: The integration of text becomes paramount; note how its semiotic relation and Daumier’s mark-making result in pointed critique. These elements cohere in his astute commentary on contemporary French society. I am struck by the stark assessment of beauty and age through visual metaphor. Editor: So much is conveyed in just a few strokes of the lithographic crayon! This deep dive into Daumier's methods has highlighted how form and content combine to express social commentary. Curator: Indeed. This analytical process underscores how Daumier harnesses formal qualities to elevate societal critique.