Girod de l'Ain (L'amiral Verhuel) 1853

Curator: Here we have Honoré Daumier's lithograph, "Girod de l'Ain (L'amiral Verhuel)," housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: What strikes me first is the satire! The exaggerated features are practically shouting a critique of power. Curator: Daumier often used caricature to comment on the bourgeoisie and political figures of his time. This is very much about the social history of France, wouldn’t you agree? Editor: Absolutely. The corpulence and arrogance—the very posture of these figures—speaks volumes about the societal norms of male dominance in the 19th century. Curator: It is interesting to see Daumier using lithography to spread his messages so widely. Editor: Indeed. We get a glimpse into the socio-political landscape—the unspoken expectations, the power dynamics. I find the work fascinating. Curator: As do I, it’s amazing to consider all the complexities Daumier captures.