Et les cinq francs de ce matin? c. 19th century

Editor: Here we have Honoré Daumier's "Et les cinq francs de ce matin?", a lithograph from the 19th century. My first impression is one of strained domesticity—the angular lines emphasize a sense of tension between the figures. Curator: It's the lithographic process itself that interests me. Look at how Daumier uses the grease crayon on the stone to create these varying tones. The prints would have been relatively inexpensive, made for mass consumption and circulated within newspapers. Editor: Yes, the caricature is exaggerated, focusing on a man and a woman seemingly in the midst of a dispute. Their expressions, amplified by Daumier's rendering, communicate annoyance or anger, and tell us something about gender roles, relationships, or perhaps money at the time. Notice the shadow around the man--very striking. Curator: Precisely. The very lines convey the class distinctions of that period, the clothing each is wearing pointing to material limitations and even social expectations of the time. Think of how the artist reproduced that, technically speaking; this wasn't necessarily "high art," but more in line with functional, communicative printed materials. Editor: Daumier so expertly uses visual symbols in these depictions, the man is disheveled, towering over the woman. The artist clearly points our attention toward ideas about power and vulnerability, especially considering that monetary argument between a married couple. I keep wondering what five francs might have meant at that time to them and to other viewers. Curator: That tension is palpable and relates directly to its status as printed matter. Were these figures members of the petite bourgeoisie trying to cling to notions of gentility even as they haggled over household funds? The print allows for wider cultural readings than we can easily know given only the image, because this art existed to provide context within journalism, or some popular pamphlet. The economics behind Daumier's art are relevant and vital! Editor: In any case, whether approaching it from an economic point of view, or pondering on the couple’s symbols, Daumier stimulates profound consideration on historical experience through satire. Curator: Indeed. A relatively low-cost lithograph gives potent insight into the era’s lived experience and manufacturing process—fascinating from many angles.