Ils voudraient éteindre jusqu'au soleil c. 19th century

Curator: This lithograph, "Ils voudraient éteindre jusqu'au soleil," which roughly translates to "They would extinguish even the sun," is a print dating back to the 19th century and crafted by Honoré Daumier. The image speaks volumes, doesn't it? Editor: It does. My first impression is that it has a stark, satirical feel. The bold lines and the exaggerated figures immediately suggest social commentary. And look at the textures achieved through lithography; it gives real depth. Curator: Indeed. Daumier was known for his political and social caricatures, and this piece is no exception. It was created in the context of censorship, where the press was actively targeted by those in power. He challenges those controlling hands. Editor: The way he renders the 'sun'—a literal sun-like face—is telling. Is this about the manufacturing of consent? Look at the materiality: lithography allowed for mass production and distribution, vital for disseminating his message to a wide audience. Curator: Precisely. The figure standing on another's shoulders to snuff out the sun represents authority attempting to suppress enlightenment and freedom of expression. The etching along the lower third which says "Liberte de la Presse" as well as "Enseignement", meaning the Freedom of the Press, and Education makes this explicit. Editor: Right, those terms are powerful. It makes you think about the labour involved in creating such images—Daumier's hands, the lithographer’s stone, the printer's press, and all the social forces shaping that work. There's a lot of craft here working to expose a larger truth about what is being "crafted" by others. Curator: Absolutely. It's a poignant reminder of the importance of safeguarding freedom of expression against those who would seek to diminish it. The work speaks volumes about Daumier's investment in liberal ideas, and a sharp understanding of how images circulate in the public sphere to affect social change. Editor: Well, it’s remarkable how a relatively simple lithograph can capture such complex layers of power, production, and resistance, isn’t it? Curator: I agree completely; hopefully more are awakened by his message with pieces such as this.