"Ah, Théophile..., I've heard good things about you... 1860

Curator: This is Honoré Daumier's "Ah, Théophile..., I've heard good things about you..." Editor: Oh, my! The mood is tense, wouldn’t you say? A bit…confrontational. Curator: Indeed. Notice how Daumier uses line to create exaggerated features and dramatic lighting. It accentuates the figures' expressions, which communicate the narrative tension. Editor: It is playful, though. A little theatrical. I feel like they’re about to burst into song. Or maybe slap each other. Curator: The composition and line work definitely lean into satire. Editor: In the end, it's just life, isn't it? Messy, funny, a bit shocking. Curator: Precisely, seen through the lens of Daumier's skilled hand.