Toujours les Hippophages c. 19th century

Curator: Daumier's lithograph, "Toujours les Hippophages" – roughly translated, "Always Horse-Eaters" – from around the 19th century, really throws us headfirst into a social critique disguised as… well, slightly grotesque horse-faced dinner party attendees. What strikes you most about it? Editor: I notice the exaggerated features and almost animalistic portrayals of the figures. The word "Hippophages," the dark atmosphere, and the table of shadowy figures creates a rather cynical or even satirical tone. How did Daumier use caricature to make a statement? Curator: Ah, that's the juicy core of it! Daumier was a master of skewering societal pretenses through caricature. Those elongated faces, the subtle hint of a horse's profile—it's all pointing towards a commentary on the bourgeoisie and their dining habits during times of scarcity, specifically during or after the Franco-Prussian War when horse meat became a necessary food source, and the text hints that maybe even the *rats* are on the menu. It’s funny, yet pointed, isn’t it? Does it make you wonder if their polished exteriors hide something far less palatable? Editor: Absolutely! It's both funny and unsettling at the same time, using humor to address difficult times. It's like he's saying, “Look at these elites; aren’t they absurd even as they’re making do?" Does the setting of the scene also convey symbolic meanings? Curator: Good question. The dim, undefined backdrop contributes to the gloom and cynicism. And did you notice that they're all dressed in their finest garb, holding up an image of wealth? Editor: I see that! I initially looked at it as a somewhat random gathering of oddly shaped heads. Now, I recognize how powerfully the artwork communicates socio-economic commentary through exaggerating features. Curator: Right? It's a reminder that appearances can be deceiving, and satire, when done right, cuts deeper than any documentary ever could.