Article 27 of the Regulations 1858

Curator: This is Honoré Daumier's lithograph, "Article 27 of the Regulations," part of his "Les Portiers de Paris" series. It depicts a confrontation between a concierge and a woman. Editor: The stark contrast immediately strikes me—the rough, almost frantic lines conveying a sense of tension and absurdity. Curator: Observe how Daumier uses line weight and hatching to define form and texture. The concierge's exaggerated gesture creates a visual barrier. Note how the text reinforces the image of authority, specifically the regulation. Editor: Yes, the concierge's outstretched arms and the woman’s burdened basket are potent symbols of power and restriction. The chicken itself, clutched by the woman, becomes a symbol of domesticity and perhaps illicit activity. Curator: Precisely! The composition directs our gaze to this charged encounter, highlighting the formal qualities of constraint and resistance. Editor: Ultimately, I think this speaks to the human drama of everyday life, the clash between order and individual needs. Curator: A compelling demonstration of how form and content coalesce to deliver pointed social commentary.