Great Stairs of the Palace of Justice, View of the Facade 1848

Curator: This lithograph, "Great Stairs of the Palace of Justice, View of the Facade," comes to us from Honoré Daumier. Editor: It’s stark, almost unsettling. The upward angle of the stairs and the faces of the figures create a sense of forced perspective. Curator: Daumier was known for using lithography to critique the bourgeoisie. Notice how the towering stairs diminish the figures, making them seem like cogs in a grand, impersonal machine of justice. Editor: These robes, the high stairs…it’s a visual language that says, "We are above you." And the figures themselves, they don't seem ennobled by it, just burdened. Curator: The figures almost seem weighed down by their profession and the weight of justice. Editor: Yes, the image speaks volumes about the social hierarchy. I’ll certainly be pondering the cultural implications. Curator: Indeed, it's a potent reminder of the power structures inherent in legal institutions.