Eh bien! Mon brave anglais ... c. 19th century

Honoré Daumier's lithograph presents us with two figures embodying national stereotypes. Here we observe the 'brave anglais,' and a figure in medieval dress, exchanging words in a scene charged with cultural tension. The Englishman, marked by his plaid suit and somewhat comical demeanor, stands in stark contrast to the figure on the right, who evokes the medieval era. The appearance of archaic armor connects to ideas of nationhood and historical narrative. The gesture made by the figure on the right, along with his military dress, remind us of similar historicizing portrayals, as seen, for instance, in Delacroix’s depictions of medieval knights. This visual language evokes complex feelings about the past, often romanticized yet also tinged with underlying anxieties. Observe how Daumier uses exaggeration to tap into collective memories and cultural assumptions about national identity. These caricatures engage our subconscious, stirring up deep-seated emotions linked to history and cultural interactions, continually revisited and reshaped through art.