Barbé-Marbois

Art Historical Context

**Barbé-Marbois** is a striking lithograph by Honoré Daumier, in 1835 and now housed in the National of Art's Rosenwald. Daumier, a master of 19th-century French caricature, captured the likeness of François Barbé-Mar, a prominent statesman and former minister under Napoleon. This print exemplifies Daumier's prowess in political satire, using sharp wit to comment on the figures shaping France's July Monarchy era. Lithography, Daumier's preferred medium, allowed for bold lines, expressive distortions, and affordable reproduction—key to disseminating his critiques to a wide audience amid growing press freedoms and censorship battles. In 1835, as political tensions simmered under King Louis-Philippe, works like this highlighted the era's corruption and hypocrisy, making Daumier a voice for the public. Today, **Barbé-Marbois** stands as a testament to caricature's power in democratic discourse, blending realism with exaggeration to immortalize a moment in French history. Visitors will appreciate its timeless bite and technical brilliance.

About the Artist

Honoré Daumier · 1810–1879

Honoré-Victorin Daumier (1808-1879) was a prolific French printmaker, caricaturist, painter, and sculptor whose works offered incisive commentary on the social and political life of 19th-century France. Known as the 'Michelangelo of Caricature,' Daumier produced over 4,000 lithographs, 500 paintings, 1,000 drawings, and 100 sculptures during his lifetime. His biting political satire led to his imp...