Un soliciteur Guettant ...Bineau!

Art Historical Context

In the bustling world of 19th-century French satire, Honoré Daumier's *Un soliciteur GuettantBineau!* (1850) captures the sharp wit that defined his career. A master caricaturist, Daumier produced thousands of lithographs for publications like *Le Charivari*, skewering the hypocrisies of lawyers, politicians, and the bourgeoisie during the turbulent Second French Republic. This print likely pokes fun at a scheming solicitor ("soliciteur") spying on or eagerly watching the figure of Bineau—possibly a nod to a contemporary political or legal personality—highlighting the era's corruption and opportunism. Lithography was Daumier's ideal medium, enabling greasy crayon drawings on stone that could be printed in large editions for affordable public consumption. His expressive, exaggerated lines and dynamic compositions turned simple prints into powerful social critiques, influencing later cartoonists and graphic artists. Though small in scale, the work brims with narrative tension, inviting viewers to chuckle at human folly. Now part of the Corcoran Collection (Gift of Dr. Armand Hammer) in the National Gallery of Art's Department of Prints (CG-E), this piece exemplifies Daumier's enduring legacy as a people's artist, blending artistry with activism in an age of political upheaval.

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...