Un citoyen exaspéré par les buffleteries c. 19th century

Curator: This image pulls you right in! There's so much frenetic energy. Editor: Indeed. What we’re seeing here is a lithograph by Honoré Daumier, created in the mid-19th century. It's titled "Un citoyen exaspéré par les buffleteries" – "A Citizen Exasperated by Pomp and Circumstance." Curator: Pomp and circumstance is right! Look at the way the man's flailing with his hat, his sword, even his hair seems to be standing on end. The artist’s use of line really communicates his frustration. Do you find the character to be more individualized or symbolic? Editor: A bit of both, perhaps. Daumier frequently employed caricature to critique the bourgeoisie and the political climate of the time. The French July Revolution of 1830 looms large here, setting the stage for societal frustration. "Buffleteries" – all the frills, the rituals – represent the systems the people found constricting. Curator: It reminds me of archetypal images of frustration, like a figure from Greek tragedy lashing out. And this citizen looks trapped, doesn't he? Like his world has become nothing but bothersome things he is trying to fight back. It gives a potent message for any time period, even ours. Editor: Precisely! Consider the medium – lithography allowed for mass production and distribution, making it possible to disseminate social commentary quickly and widely. This particular print likely appeared in a journal or newspaper, adding another layer to its public function. Curator: I wonder, did people at the time see themselves in this exasperated citizen? Or did they view him with amusement or even disdain? Editor: It’s tough to say definitively. Daumier had a wide audience, and interpretations surely varied. However, his work played an important role in shaping public opinion, providing a visual language for expressing dissatisfaction. It served, perhaps, as a valve for collective tensions. Curator: This piece shows us how timeless true art can be. It provides not just aesthetic viewing but important messages and representations of shared struggle and angst. Editor: Yes. Examining it reveals how art, even in accessible print form, engages directly with pressing political and social issues. A vital visual document and artwork indeed!