Cocher, arrêtez donc c. 19th century

Editor: This is Honoré Daumier’s lithograph, “Cocher, arrêtez donc,” or “Driver, stop!” from the 19th century. It's quite droll, the way the artist exaggerated their features. The image reminds me of the saying "It's a tough job but someone's gotta do it." What are your initial thoughts when you view it? Curator: Oh, Daumier! He's like that witty friend who sketches everyone at a party. This work... it feels like a stage play, doesn't it? The characters are so expressive, and the rain, my god, it's practically biblical. You know, lithography allowed for such accessible art. What do you think he’s trying to convey? Editor: Perhaps something about class and social mobility, and urban life, with all its grit and humor? The contrast between the posh passengers and the downtrodden drivers is pretty stark. Curator: Absolutely! And think about Romanticism. It wasn't all about swooning landscapes. There was a current that reveled in the everyday, in the drama of the streets. I imagine Daumier chuckling to himself, capturing these Parisian moments. And did you notice how he subtly uses the line to create depth? Editor: It gives the piece energy, and it also emphasizes the isolation of each figure, trapped in their own circumstances, I wonder, do you think the driver hears their complaints in the rain, or does he continue traveling into the land of dreams, as it says in the little caption? Curator: Ah, the land of dreams! Perhaps Daumier’s implying that the drivers, though physically present, are emotionally detached, lost in their own world. I suppose, looking at the horse's posture. it seems to reflect the driver’s stoicism, pulling its weight but resigned to its journey. The artist manages to evoke so much with so few lines. Editor: It's interesting how a simple scene, captured with such artistry, can reveal so many layers. Thank you for that detailed insight!