Robert Macaire, Merchant 1837

Editor: So, this is Honoré Daumier's "Robert Macaire, Merchant" from the 19th century. It feels like a snapshot of social class. What do you see in this print? Curator: The lithograph points to mass production. Daumier critiques the bourgeoisie through this easily distributed image. It questions art's exclusivity; copies democratize but also commodify social commentary. How does this tension change our interpretation? Editor: That’s fascinating. I hadn’t considered the printing process as part of the critique itself. Curator: Indeed, thinking about the process is crucial to understanding its meaning. This work truly shows how the means of production shape the message.