"Hey there, what are you doing there, M. Crunichon? ...I trust you aren't counting on catching something by sitting on the grass?" 1857

Curator: This is an intriguing lithograph by Honoré Daumier titled "Hey there, what are you doing there, M. Crunichon? ...I trust you aren't counting on catching something by sitting on the grass?". Editor: It has such a wonderfully sardonic feel. The contrast between the upright, almost aggressively stout figure and the seated one creates a palpable tension. Curator: Indeed. Daumier often used his art to comment on social dynamics, and here, the figures’ postures reflect their assumed roles within the hunting narrative. The title suggests a power dynamic as well, the standing figure questions the actions of the sitting one. Editor: Absolutely. There's a clear social critique at play. The act of hunting, typically associated with privilege, is satirized through these figures' almost absurd interactions. It seems as though Daumier is challenging ideas of leisure and class. Curator: The hunter, ironically, seems like he is the prey. There's also the figure of the dog, seemingly resigned to the scene. His posture indicates that his master has been sat for awhile. Editor: It adds a layer of poignancy. Ultimately, it's a reflection on the ironies of leisure and the human condition. Curator: I find that, with Daumier, satire cuts to deep truths. Editor: Exactly. It's a thought-provoking piece.