Ayant eu la facheuse idée d'aller ... au bord de l'eau c. 19th century

Editor: This lithograph, “Ayant eu la facheuse idée d'aller ... au bord de l'eau,” or “Having the unfortunate idea of going… to the water’s edge,” by Honoré Daumier, dates from the mid-19th century. There's a satirical edge to it, a certain commentary about leisure. What do you see happening here, considering Daumier’s history? Curator: Well, placed within the broader context of 19th-century French society, it’s hard not to read this image as a critique of the emerging bourgeoisie and their aspirations. Daumier, often concerned with the lives of ordinary Parisians, may be skewering their attempts to mimic aristocratic pastimes like leisure by the water. Editor: So the discomfort we see in the figures isn't just incidental, it’s deliberate social commentary? Curator: Precisely. Consider the title—that “unfortunate idea.” It suggests a failed attempt at idyllic leisure. Lithography as a medium also democratized art, making social critiques like this more accessible. Are these figures enjoying nature or simply enduring it for appearances' sake? Editor: I see your point. It's less a celebration of the Romantic landscape and more of a skeptical view on who gets to enjoy it, or pretends to. Curator: Exactly. It's about access, perception, and the social performance of leisure in a rapidly changing urban environment. This also informs the image's placement, its consumption within a magazine like "Croquis D'Ete". Does it present more or less weight if viewed as political propaganda? Editor: Definitely changes my initial view. I initially saw the title as purely ironic but now I see more layered social criticism. Thanks for untangling this. Curator: My pleasure! It highlights how artworks function not just as aesthetic objects, but as socio-political texts.