Dr. Prunelle 1833

Curator: This lithograph is titled "Dr. Prunelle," created by Honoré Daumier. It's hard to put my finger on it, but there is something so endearing and ridiculous about this character. Editor: Absolutely. Endearing, maybe because it’s impossible to ignore the blatant caricature and critique of power structures Daumier employs here. The overfed figure in formal attire represents corruption and societal hypocrisy. Curator: Right? There's a playful rebellion, a sense of humor. His face is so round and almost innocent, yet it can't quite hide the layers of... perhaps, self-importance? Editor: And the disproportionate body size! The exaggerated features mock the bourgeois class's greed and moral decay—a direct challenge to the status quo. Curator: Daumier's work often reminds me that art can be both an instrument of change and a source of profound joy. Editor: I agree. Art that exposes uncomfortable truths also inspires critical reflection and the possibility of creating a more just society.