Enfoncé Lafayette!... Attrappe mon vieux!

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of19th-century French political satire with Honoré Daier's *Enfoncé Lafayette!... Attr mon vieux!* (1834), a lively lithograph from the National Gallery of Art's Rosenwald. Daumier, a master caricaturist, captured the turbulent spirit of the July Monarchy King Louis-Philippe, using his sharp wit to skewer public figures. Here, the title—roughly translating to "Stuck, Lafayette!... Take that, man!"—mocks the aging revolutionary hero Marquis de Lafayette, a symbol of 1789 who by the 1830s had become a thorn in the regime's side. Lithography, Daumier's preferred medium, was revolutionary for its time: drawn directly on stone with greasy crayon, it allowed for intricate details, expressive lines, and affordable mass production via printing presses. This technique democratized art, spreading biting commentary to the masses through newspapers and pamphlets. Daumier's bold, exaggerated style—rooted in Realism yet infused with caricature—highlighted social hypocrisies, making him a precursor to modern political cartoons. Displayed in the Prints department (CG-E), this work exemplifies Daumier's fearless journalism, which once landed him in jail for his art. It invites us to reflect on how satire endures as a tool for challenging power.

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...