Robert Macaire, Discounter c. 19th century

Curator: This is Honoré Daumier's "Robert Macaire, Discounter," now held in the Harvard Art Museums collections. It's a lithograph, and it's fascinating how Daumier used popular imagery to critique the bourgeois society of his time. Editor: My first impression is of imbalance; one figure looms large, draped in fabric, while the other is neat and contained. It's a study in contrasts. Curator: Exactly! Macaire, the con man, embodies excess, both in physique and behavior. The other man, his mark, represents the naive investor, easily swayed by Macaire's promises. Editor: Notice how Daumier employs hatching to create volume, particularly on Macaire's form. The swirling lines almost suggest a chaotic energy emanating from him. Curator: Daumier created a whole series around Robert Macaire, lampooning the corruption and get-rich-quick schemes that proliferated during the July Monarchy. Editor: It's clever how the artist uses caricature to amplify the social commentary, exaggerating the features to emphasize their respective roles. Curator: And these prints were widely circulated in newspapers, making Daumier a powerful social commentator. Editor: Looking closer, the precision of line emphasizes the deceptive nature of appearances. Curator: Absolutely, it’s a stark reminder that sometimes, appearances can be deceiving. Editor: A compelling image; the artist really knew how to use light and shadow to tell a story.