"He's really been a little devil . . ." 1838

Curator: Here we have Honoré Daumier's "He's really been a little devil . . .". Editor: The title feels laced with irony; I see weariness etched on the parents' faces, a very different story than the playful title suggests. Curator: Daumier was a master of social commentary through lithography. Consider the historical context; this likely reflects the realities of child-rearing in 19th-century France, far removed from idealized portrayals. Editor: Absolutely, and look at the baby's exaggerated features. It's a caricature, almost monstrous. What does that say about societal anxieties around new parenthood and the disruption of domestic life? Curator: I think it speaks to universal experiences – the sleepless nights, the frustrations, but also a certain dark humor. Editor: Perhaps. But the stark contrast between the exhausted parents and the almost demon-like child also hints at broader themes of class and social expectations. Curator: A valid point. It's a complex image, open to multiple interpretations, that's what makes it so compelling. Editor: It certainly offers a sobering, yet darkly comic, glimpse into a very specific historical moment.