"Tell me, then, husband, if they know how to make their cheeses as well as we do..." 1865

Curator: This is Honoré Daumier's, "Tell me, then, husband, if they know how to make their cheeses as well as we do..." a lithograph that captures a moment outside what seems to be a food exhibition. Editor: There's an immediate feeling of satire; the contrast between the well-dressed crowd and the working-class couple in the foreground is striking. Curator: Exactly, and it reflects Daumier’s wider social commentary. The cheese itself, a staple food with deep cultural roots, becomes a symbol of national pride and perhaps even a hint of distrust towards outsiders. Editor: The artist uses contrasting textures to emphasize this division. The crisp lines defining the couple stand out against the more blurred crowd scene, almost as if they exist in different realities. Curator: I find the woman's words incredibly telling. Her question hints at both pride and perhaps a tinge of suspicion. It’s a timeless sentiment, wouldn’t you say? Editor: Absolutely. The composition focuses our gaze and sharpens that critical, probing question about craftsmanship and cultural identity. Food traditions as a bulwark. Curator: In short, a powerful image that continues to resonate through the years. Editor: Yes, a sharp visual pun and a potent commentary indeed.