"Oh! those must be birds of prey...They're eating grapes!" 1847

Curator: Honoré Daumier's lithograph, titled "Oh! those must be birds of prey...They're eating grapes!" presents us with a humorous scene. The artist, born in 1808, gives us an image of the French Bourgeoisie. Editor: It has a satirical edge, doesn't it? The upturned face of the man, the dog’s quizzical expression – it all feels intentionally absurd. Curator: Daumier created this piece using lithography, a printmaking process that allowed for mass production and distribution through newspapers and journals. It's interesting to consider how this accessibility shaped its impact. Editor: Precisely, the medium itself speaks to a certain democratizing impulse, taking what could be high art and making it available for everyday critique and enjoyment. I wonder about the reception within the depicted social classes. Curator: I agree. Considering the cultural context of 19th-century France, Daumier's work held a mirror to society, and exposed its flaws using a highly accessible medium. Editor: Absolutely. It definitely provides insightful commentary on social perceptions of bourgeois life.