A Genuine Amateur 1847

Curator: Here we have Honoré Daumier's lithograph, "A Genuine Amateur". The image portrays two figures in an art gallery setting. Editor: The contrast between the two figures strikes me. One intensely scrutinizes a painting with a magnifying glass, while the other stands aloof, arms crossed. Curator: Daumier often used satire to critique bourgeois society. This piece likely mocks the pretensions of art connoisseurship. Editor: Absolutely. The bold hatching creates a sense of depth and highlights the almost comical level of engagement of the man with the magnifying glass. Curator: The print originally appeared in "Les Bons Bourgeois," suggesting Daumier targeted the middle class's aspirations for cultural capital. Editor: It’s a wonderful study in contrasts, between observation and detachment, and the public performance of taste versus genuine appreciation. Curator: Indeed. Daumier's sharp wit and keen observation offer us a timeless perspective on the art world. Editor: A simple print that exposes the complex behaviors and pretensions of the art world.