The Spectacles at Peking c. 19th century

Editor: This is "The Spectacles at Peking" by Honoré Daumier. It's a print, a glimpse into 19th-century perceptions of Chinese theater. It feels critical and somewhat cynical. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Daumier's work often satirized social norms and institutions. Here, he's not just depicting a scene, but commenting on the European fascination with, and perhaps misunderstanding of, Chinese culture. How might the title "Voyage en Chine" play into that? Editor: It suggests a romanticized or exoticized view, maybe contrasting reality with European expectations. Curator: Exactly. Consider the implied critique of cultural appropriation and the politics of looking. Perhaps Daumier is questioning the West's gaze upon the East. Food for thought. Editor: Absolutely. I hadn't considered it that way.