"Sir, it's a three-penny letter..." 1848

Curator: This is Honoré Daumier's "Sir, it's a three-penny letter...", a lithograph. It looks like something from a newspaper. Editor: It’s unsettling; the figure in bed seems genuinely terrified. The stark contrast in light and shadow amplifies the tension. Curator: Daumier often used lithography for social commentary, making art accessible. This print likely appeared in a satirical publication, responding to anxieties of the time. Editor: The cheap materials and rapid reproduction are critical. This wasn't meant for a gallery; it's a disposable critique, reaching a broad audience directly affected by the social climate. Curator: Precisely. The political climate of 19th century France, full of suspicion and fear, certainly shaped its reception. It makes you wonder what anxieties were so prevalent. Editor: It prompts us to question how news, then and now, can stoke panic and what purpose that might serve. Curator: A point well taken. This print makes one reflect on the social anxieties of yesterday and today.