Black and White 1840

Editor: This is Honoré Daumier’s “Black and White.” The contrast between the two figures is striking, both in dress and demeanor. What's the social commentary here? Curator: Daumier’s lithographs were often biting critiques of Parisian society. How do you think the rigid formality of one figure plays against the apparent poverty of the other in shaping public perception? Editor: It’s like Daumier is highlighting the absurd social divisions of the time. Curator: Precisely. By emphasizing these stark visual contrasts, Daumier invites viewers to question the power structures and inequalities inherent in 19th-century Paris. Considering this, what role did publications play in spreading this commentary? Editor: I see that Daumier's art provided a mirror reflecting society’s inequalities. Curator: Indeed, and that mirror was intentionally placed for maximum public visibility through print.