Henri de Larochejacquelein

Art Historical Context

In the turbulent wake of France's 1848 Revolution Honoré Daumier *Henri de Larochejaclein* in 1849, a striking lithograph on newsprint that captures the spirit of revolutionary fervor. Daumier, a master of Realism and caricature, was renowned for his biting social commentary through prints, often published in newspapers to reach broad audiences. This medium—lithography on inexpensive newsprint—was revolutionary, enabling mass production and rapid dissemination of politically charged images during a time of upheaval. The subject, Henri de La Rochejaquelein, was a dashing royalist general who led Catholic and monarchist forces in the brutal Vendée uprising against the French Revolution in the 1790s. Daumier's portrayal likely romanticizes this counter-revolutionary hero, evoking nostalgia amid 1849's fragile Second Republic. His expressive line work and dramatic shading highlight the figure's intensity, blending historical portraiture with satirical edge—a hallmark of Daumier's style that critiqued power while humanizing its players. Housed in the National Gallery of Art through the Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, this print exemplifies how lithography democratized art, turning ephemeral newsprint into enduring cultural artifacts that still resonate with themes of rebellion and loyalty.

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...