Robert Macaire Recognized c. 19th century

Curator: This is Honoré Daumier’s “Robert Macaire Recognized,” housed at the Harvard Art Museums. The lithograph depicts a dining scene. Editor: It’s striking how Daumier renders the scene with such delicate lines, especially considering its satirical intent. There’s an almost unsettling contrast between the subject and the execution. Curator: Daumier's lithographs often critiqued bourgeois society, and Robert Macaire, the swindler, became his iconic figure representing the corrupting forces of capitalism. Editor: Note the composition; all lines lead toward Macaire, emphasizing his central role in this unfolding drama. The waiter almost seems to be presenting him, as if on display. Curator: Exactly. The print becomes a commodity itself, circulated widely in "Le Charivari", offering a visual commentary on social injustices and the exploitation inherent within emerging capitalist structures. Editor: The detail of the facial expressions is especially poignant. It tells a story about societal structure and class dynamics with only simple lines and composition. Curator: Indeed. It makes you think about the labor, consumption, and production of art during this era. Editor: Yes, it gives us insight into the social and art landscape of its time.