Qu'as-tu donc, Robert? ... c. 19th century

Curator: I’m struck by the weariness in this lithograph. It’s an evocative portrayal of… perhaps financial distress? Editor: This is "Qu'as-tu donc, Robert? ..." by Honoré Daumier, likely from sometime in the 19th century. Look at the hatching and the density of the marks made through this lithographic process. It really communicates the texture of these garments and conveys the atmosphere of domestic interior space. Curator: Indeed, the costumes are peculiar, quite dated. It hints at an older social order, even amidst the changing times of the 19th century. Notice how one figure is seated, almost resigned, while the other looms, dressed in what appears to be old fashioned robe. They echo established symbols of power versus subservience. Editor: From a purely material perspective, the choice of lithography for a piece like this is intriguing. Prints like this were made in multiples and broadly distributed for the masses. Daumier expertly used this reproductive method to give accessible social commentary during his time, effectively mass producing social satire. Curator: Mass satire! Exactly. It taps into a deeply ingrained sense of moral order being upended. The question in the title – “What’s wrong, Robert?”– resonates beyond a simple query. It symbolizes the anxieties of a society grappling with social mobility and rapidly shifting fortunes. Editor: Yes, considering that these works were made for popular consumption makes Daumier's engagement with themes such as the bougeousie all the more potent. The medium becomes essential to the artwork's reception and interpretation. These prints entered into the daily life, social spaces, workplaces of people throughout Paris. Curator: This piece seems simple at first glance, yet the subtle visual cues carry such weight. Daumier wasn’t just recording appearances, but emotions, anxieties and social anxieties. Editor: Precisely. Daumier really demonstrated how something like lithography can move past pure function and become a vital artistic platform that reflects and also helps shape public opinion.