Barbé-Marbois
1835
Medium
lithograph
Classification
Department
CG-E
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Rosenwald Collection
Accession Number
1943.3.2946
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 growin...
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...