Moi ce que j'aime dans la salle de sculpture ... c. 19th century

Curator: Looking at "Moi ce que j'aime dans la salle de sculpture...", a lithograph dating from the 19th century by Honoré Daumier, my first thought is it perfectly captures that very specific feeling of art fatigue. The heavy lines and stark contrast really emphasize the weariness. Editor: Absolutely. It’s interesting how Daumier uses caricature here not just to depict physical traits, but to critique the experience of art consumption itself. Think about the broader social context: this was a time of increasing public access to art through exhibitions, but what did that really mean for the working class, who may have felt alienated by these spaces? Curator: Oh, exactly! There's a delicious irony here. The caption translates to "What I like in the sculpture gallery is that there is always a bench to sit on!", It suggests these figures, ostensibly there for art, are prioritizing comfort and perhaps even...escape? It feels almost sacrilegious! I imagine this piece generated quite the buzz in its day. Editor: Indeed. And consider that Daumier was working during a period of immense social and political upheaval in France. His choice to focus on the everyday experiences of ordinary people, even if satirically, positions him as a chronicler of his time. These men might be fatigued by the art, or perhaps by the societal pressures reflected within those very sculptures. Are they resisting something beyond just boredom? Curator: That makes you wonder: were they there voluntarily, or did societal expectations bring them through the gallery doors? Perhaps they sought validation in a cultural experience that ultimately excludes them, even when they gain physical access. This work seems both of and before its time. Editor: Exactly. This print also invites reflection on contemporary issues around cultural access and elitism within the art world, which resonate with debates on diversity and inclusion still happening today. Who gets to decide what's "good" art, and who feels welcome in the spaces that house it? Curator: These tired visitors on their hard-won bench provide a point of access for conversations about our experience as individuals engaging in larger societal values around art. It’s pretty insightful, really! Editor: Yes, seeing them recontextualizes contemporary attitudes, as we decide collectively what's meaningful in the realm of artistic production and critical discussions.