Comte Horace Sébastiani 1833

Editor: So this is Honoré Daumier's "Comte Horace Sébastiani" at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a black and white print and the figure is a bit...caricatured. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Daumier was a master of social critique. Consider the context: post-revolution France, a society grappling with class divisions. This image isn't just a funny drawing; it's a commentary on power, specifically the inflated ego and perhaps outdated relevance of the aristocracy. How does the figure's posture strike you? Editor: I guess he looks a little pompous. Is that intentional? Curator: Absolutely. Daumier exaggerates physical traits to expose inner character. Think about the role of satire as a tool for social change. This print challenges us to question who holds power and how they wield it. Editor: So it's not just a portrait, it's a political statement. Curator: Precisely. And that's what makes Daumier so compelling even today.