A New Way of Descending the River of Life c. 19th century

Editor: This lithograph is by Honoré Daumier, titled "A New Way of Descending the River of Life." It seems to depict a chaotic scene on a river, with people struggling in the water. What strikes you most about this piece? Curator: I see a biting commentary on class and social mobility. The "river of life" isn't some tranquil journey; it's a struggle, and Daumier uses the imagery of a capsized boat to symbolize the precariousness of social status. Consider how the figures clinging to the wreckage mirror the political turmoil of 19th-century France. Does the water serve as a metaphor here? Editor: A metaphor for the overwhelming nature of societal challenges? I hadn’t considered that. Curator: Precisely. And note Daumier’s focus on the figures’ expressions. Desperation, frustration – they reflect the anxieties of a society undergoing rapid change. What did you learn? Editor: I see now how Daumier connected personal struggles to broader social issues. Thank you.