Dis donc ma femme... je ne vois rien! 1845

Editor: This lithograph by Honoré Daumier from 1845, titled "Dis donc ma femme... je ne vois rien!" or "Say, my wife… I see nothing!” feels a bit satirical to me. The man with the telescope seems to be intentionally missing something obvious. How do you interpret this work? Curator: That’s a great starting point. Consider the socio-political climate of 19th-century France. Daumier often used his art as social commentary. What power dynamics might he be highlighting in this scenario with the oblivious husband? Editor: I guess I hadn't thought of it that way. I was just seeing a funny scene, but now that you mention it, there’s a gendered element. He's actively looking away, maybe choosing ignorance over confronting a truth about his marriage or about society. Curator: Precisely. Think about the rise of the bourgeoisie during this period and how traditional family structures were being questioned. The man’s ignorance could represent a deliberate blindness to uncomfortable social realities or the changing roles of women. Editor: So, the telescope isn’t just a tool for seeing, but a symbol of willful blindness? Is Daumier suggesting that the man is choosing to ignore what's right in front of him? Curator: Exactly. And by extension, Daumier might be critiquing a society that prefers to ignore inconvenient truths. Do you think there's something more than marital discomfort? Maybe also broader political implications? Editor: I see what you mean! Maybe he is choosing not to see all kinds of inequalities... Class? Curator: This lithograph invites us to consider how societal norms and power structures can shape what we choose to see, and what we actively ignore. It speaks volumes about social critique through art. Editor: Wow, I hadn’t considered so many layers. It’s more than just a funny picture. It's a powerful statement. Curator: Indeed. That is the essence of activist art.