Making Sure There Isn't a Fenian Under His Bed 1866

Editor: This is Honoré Daumier's "Making Sure There Isn't a Fenian Under His Bed." I find the dark, scratchy lines give it a very anxious feel. What can you tell me about this work? Curator: This print speaks volumes about the social anxieties of the time. The "Fenian" refers to members of the Irish Republican Brotherhood, and anti-Irish sentiment was rampant. Daumier cleverly critiques the irrational fear and prejudice directed at this group, portraying the man's exaggerated precautions as almost comical. Editor: So, it's less about the actual threat and more about the societal paranoia? Curator: Precisely. Daumier is holding a mirror to the absurdity of xenophobia and the construction of "the other." It's a powerful statement, even today. Editor: That definitely reframes how I see the image. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. It’s vital to consider art as a reflection of its sociopolitical context.