"Say, in France, I had such difficulty in having one, and here suddenly there are two on my arms...What a bold country!..." 1858

Curator: Honoré Daumier created this lithograph, "Say, in France, I had such difficulty in having one, and here suddenly there are two on my arms...What a bold country!" Editor: It's fascinating how Daumier uses caricature to convey a sense of bewilderment and perhaps a touch of smug satisfaction in the central figure. Curator: The print, now residing in the Harvard Art Museums, satirizes French perceptions of China in 1859, particularly regarding social customs and attitudes towards women. Editor: The imagery of being flanked by two women, after struggling to find one in France, speaks volumes about cultural fantasy and male ego, almost a "grass is always greener" scenario. Curator: Daumier often used lithography to critique the bourgeoisie. Here, he questions their colonial gaze and assumptions of superiority, through the lens of humor. Editor: The way Daumier exaggerates the facial features and body language really drives home the emotional core, a cocktail of surprise, pleasure, and perhaps a little discomfort.