The Old Wholesaler 1842

Curator: Editor: This is "The Old Wholesaler" by Honoré Daumier. I’m immediately struck by the starkness of the scene and the way the figures seem so worn. What do you make of these two characters? Curator: To me, they seem like ghosts of a bygone era, figures clinging to relevance in a rapidly changing world. Do you see the critique of the financial class bubbling beneath the surface? Perhaps Daumier is having us reflect on the nature of ambition itself. Editor: That's an interesting point, they do have a slightly haunted look. I'm now seeing the commentary on society that's coming through. Curator: Exactly! It’s like a little slice of history, served up with a dash of wit and melancholic charm.