"It seems to me we're about to derail..." 1857

Curator: Daumier’s lithograph, "It seems to me we're about to derail...", presents a carriage scene filled with apprehensive passengers. The lack of precise dating invites speculation on its immediate social context. Editor: The nervous energy is palpable; the diagonal lines of the shading amplify the woman's anxiety, as if the whole image is tilting precariously. Curator: Indeed, Daumier's choice of lithography facilitated mass production, targeting the burgeoning middle class and their anxieties about modern transportation. The visible paper, too, speaks to its function as a widely distributed satirical print. Editor: And the stark contrast between the fearful woman and the callous, top-hatted men – it’s masterful. The materiality echoes the social commentary. Curator: Precisely, Daumier exploits the medium to critique emerging capitalist values and anxieties around industrial progress, offering a glimpse into the shifting social fabric of 19th-century France. Editor: Looking at it this way, the image’s formal elements do more than just represent, they actively participate in constructing its critical perspective.