Robert Macaire Accused c. 19th century

Curator: This is an interesting lithograph by Honoré Daumier, titled "Robert Macaire Accused," which resides here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The mood is quite tense, yet I find the accused’s stance almost comical. He looks more like he is about to break out in song, not await his sentence. Curator: Daumier, a master of satire, uses Macaire, a recurring character, to critique the bourgeoisie and the justice system of his time. It's a pointed commentary on class and power. Editor: Exactly, there’s a very pronounced power dynamic at play. His exaggerated gestures speak volumes about the performative nature of justice and the plight of the accused within that social structure. Curator: It certainly offers us a glimpse into the social and political landscape of 19th-century France through Daumier’s critical lens. Editor: Absolutely. Considering its enduring relevance, it really encourages us to confront similar issues of inequality and injustice today.