"I am not content with the salon..." 1864

Curator: This lithograph by Honoré Daumier, titled "I am not content with the salon…," really encapsulates a critical perspective of the Parisian art scene. It's part of a series called "Croquis pris à l'Exposition" and offers a commentary on art, class, and taste. Editor: It feels like a satirical jab! The focus on this portly figure dissecting his ham, completely oblivious to the art around him… It's just dripping with disdain for the snobbery of the art world. Curator: Exactly! Daumier was a master of social commentary, and this work critiques the elitism within artistic circles. It prompts us to consider who gets to define what is "good" art. Editor: The way he captures the backs of the other visitors, the dark drapery framing the scene… it's all adding to that feeling of being an outsider looking in. Curator: Daumier used his art to challenge the status quo, and this image invites us to reflect on the complex relationships between art, society, and power. Editor: It makes me wonder how little has changed since then! It’s a very relevant piece.