"In fact, Judge Barbotteau, in fact!..." 1838

Curator: This is Honoré Daumier’s lithograph, "In fact, Judge Barbotteau, in fact!..." currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Oh, this is bursting with righteous fury, wouldn’t you say? The lawyer is practically leaping off the page with indignation. Curator: Daumier's aim was often to critique the French legal system, highlighting its absurdities and the often-comical posturing of its participants. Editor: And he captures it brilliantly! The exaggerated features, the wild gestures, it’s theatre, really. Is the title part of the joke? Curator: Indeed. The full caption in French, mocks the impatient pleader's repetitive, almost hysterical insistence on his client's innocence. Editor: It's timeless, really. The legal world, the world, is filled with Barbotteaus. I think Daumier captured the feeling of desperate, performative anger perfectly. Curator: It’s a slice of life that speaks volumes about power, performance, and the human condition.