"Hey, President, it's impossible to catch a hare..." 1849

Curator: Here we have a lithograph by Honoré Daumier, created at an unknown date. It's titled "Hey, President, it's impossible to catch a hare..." Editor: Immediately, I’m drawn to the stark contrast and the dynamic lines that shape the two figures. There’s a sense of tension, yet also something comical. Curator: Absolutely. Daumier was a master of social satire. The hare, or rather, the inability to catch it, functions as a symbol. What could it represent in this context? Editor: Given the figures' dress and bearing, perhaps the elusive hare symbolizes a political goal, or maybe even justice itself, always just out of reach. The President looks rather flustered in his grip! Curator: Yes, and the quote beneath suggests government inaction is to blame. It’s a cultural commentary, reflecting on power, responsibility, and the frustrations of the governed. Editor: Indeed. The lack of detail in the background throws the figures into stark relief, emphasizing their interaction and the broader social critique. A potent example of form serving function. Curator: Exactly. These characters really hold up a mirror to the social attitudes of 19th century France. Editor: It’s fascinating how relevant such pointed visual language remains, even today.