The Waiters in Dress Suits 1855

Editor: Here we have Honoré Daumier's print, "The Waiters in Dress Suits," date unknown. It's somber, almost satirical, and I’m curious about the urn-like object being carried. How do you interpret this work? Curator: Daumier often used satire to critique social issues. This procession, with its funereal air, likely comments on class divisions and the precariousness of the working class in 19th-century Paris. What does the inscription on the urn, "mort au tronc des pour-boire" mean to you in this context? Editor: "Death to the tip jar!" So, they're mourning the lack of tips, maybe symbolizing their economic struggles? Curator: Precisely. Daumier highlights their vulnerability, suggesting their livelihoods are as fragile as that urn. It's a powerful statement about economic inequality and the indignity faced by service workers. Editor: I hadn't considered the broader social commentary. I see it now, thanks! Curator: Daumier gives us a moment to think about class structures.