Le pur havane! Le cigare de marseille 1838

Editor: Here we have Honoré Daumier's 1838 lithograph, "Le pur havane! Le cigare de marseille," or, "The pure Havana! The cigar of Marseille!" It's a humorous print of two men smoking, and I'm immediately drawn to how Daumier captured their expressions using such simple lines. What do you see in this piece, looking at it from your perspective? Curator: Well, considering this lithograph was produced in 1838, it’s important to consider the burgeoning tobacco industry. This wasn't simply about aesthetics; it reflects shifts in material culture and consumption. These cigars, "the pure Havana," represented status, even luxury. Look at the material differences implied – a ‘pure Havana’ cigar versus one from Marseille. Who produced these? Who consumed them, and what social structures are reinforced here? Editor: That's interesting! It highlights how the value of the cigars, the material objects, also became intertwined with social positioning. So, the men are almost props in a commentary on consumerism. Curator: Precisely. And the labor! We see the end result – the enjoyment of a cigar. But think about the processes to make this lithograph available to middle class consumers? What impact does Daumier’s artistic labour have as he brings us this image, mocking these cigar smokers? Does the mode of production enhance or detract from his critique? Editor: So by focusing on the materials and their production, you can unpack social and economic commentary even from something that looks like a simple caricature? Curator: Exactly. What seems to be a lighthearted piece is rooted in the social and economic realities of 19th-century France. Think about where these prints were displayed, who could afford them... Editor: It completely changes how I see the artwork; I'm no longer just observing two guys smoking cigars, but contemplating their world of production and consumption! Thank you for offering a thought-provoking perspective. Curator: Likewise, reflecting on the labor embedded in both cigar production and art creation offers layers of insight.