Like Sisyphus 1869

Curator: Daumier's lithograph, "Like Sisyphus," depicts the mythological figure condemned to endlessly roll a boulder uphill. Notice here, the boulder is labeled "Budget." Editor: The image feels crushing, doesn’t it? The weight seems unbearable, emphasized by Daumier's stark contrasts. Curator: Absolutely. Daumier uses Sisyphus as a metaphor for the endless, futile struggles against political systems and economic policies in 19th-century France. It speaks to cyclical oppression. Editor: And the budget as the symbolic boulder, representing the burdens unfairly placed upon the people. One can easily see the lasting impact of antiquity's visual language. Curator: Indeed, the image's power comes from its layering of classical imagery with contemporary social commentary. Editor: It's a powerful reminder that some struggles remain timeless across different societal contexts. Curator: Precisely; this lithograph reflects an ongoing fight against systemic injustice.