The Disadvantage of Being Pampered c. 19th century

Editor: This is "The Disadvantage of Being Pampered" by Honoré Daumier. The exaggerated expressions really caught my eye. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Daumier was a master of social satire. Here, the pampered man's distress reflects the anxieties of the bourgeoisie, always striving for appearances. Editor: So, the humor comes from contrasting their refined image with their over-the-top reaction? Curator: Exactly. Daumier's lithographs were widely circulated, offering a critical, and often comical, commentary on the social mores of his time. It challenges our perception of beauty and comfort. Editor: That's fascinating. I never considered how such a seemingly simple image could hold so much social commentary. Curator: Daumier used art as a mirror, reflecting society's absurdities back at itself, inviting us to question the values we uphold.