“- What a shame that I don't speak Chinese... I would love to say something real nice to her and something rather nasty to her husband,” plate 4 from En Chine 1859

Honoré Daumier created this lithograph titled “- What a shame that I don't speak Chinese...” in the 19th century. The drawing's formal structure centers on the stark contrast between the figures in the foreground and the ethereal, almost dreamlike rendition of the background. Daumier masterfully employs line to delineate form and convey emotion. The sharply caricatured Western man is juxtaposed against the more softly rendered Chinese woman, whose face is turned away. This contrast suggests a critique of Western perceptions of the East, playing with the semiotic codes of dress and posture to underline cultural differences and the power dynamics inherent in the colonial gaze. The artist challenges fixed meanings by portraying the Westerner as grotesque. Daumier's lithograph employs form not merely for aesthetic appeal, but as a tool for social commentary. This piece prompts us to reconsider the values and categories we use to understand cultural encounters. The interpretation of such an artwork continues to evolve, inviting new dialogues across time.