Six Degrees Above Zero... 1847

Curator: Here we have Honoré Daumier's lithograph, with the probable title "Six Degrees Above Zero..." It's currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Brrr, just looking at it gives me the chills. There's a sense of utter bleakness and poverty in this scene; the scratchy lines almost feel like frost. Curator: Daumier was deeply committed to social critique; this print likely comments on the harsh realities faced by the working class during his time. The lack of warmth speaks volumes. Editor: Exactly! I imagine the man is trying to find some small comfort, some sign of life outside, while the woman seems resigned to the cold, both literal and metaphorical. Curator: The image reflects the broader social and political climate of mid-19th century France, marked by significant economic disparity and social unrest. It reminds us to reflect on the present. Editor: Absolutely. It’s a stark reminder that even in our modern, heated world, the struggle for basic comfort and dignity persists for many.