"Crushed Lafayette...Take That Old Boy" c. 1834

Curator: Honoré Daumier's print, "Crushed Lafayette...Take That Old Boy", presents a rather unflattering portrayal of Louis-Philippe. I can almost smell the smugness. Editor: It’s a biting image, dripping with sarcasm. The corpulent king looms over Lafayette’s tomb, while the crowd behind him seems almost oblivious. Curator: Exactly! Daumier’s lithographs often skewered the political elite, didn't they? I bet he had a field day with Louis-Philippe's shift from liberal to conservative. Editor: Indeed. The title itself drips with contempt, underscoring the betrayal of revolutionary ideals. Curator: One wonders if Lafayette would be mortified! I bet Daumier felt he gave a voice to the people. Editor: Absolutely. It’s a stark reminder that power can corrupt, and that even revolutionary heroes can be betrayed by their successors. Curator: It's a timeless message, don't you think? Editor: Sadly, yes. Power’s siren song still rings loudly today, doesn't it?