Jules Favre by Honoré Daumier

Jules Favre c. 19th century

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graphic-art, lithograph, print

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portrait

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graphic-art

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lithograph

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print

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caricature

Copyright: National Gallery of Art: CC0 1.0

Editor: This lithograph, titled "Jules Favre" by Honoré Daumier, dates back to the 19th century. The subject's exaggerated features give it a satirical feel, but there is a sense of cold authority emanating from the piece as well. What can you tell me about Daumier’s approach? Curator: This is a prime example of Daumier’s social commentary. He was a master of using caricature to critique the political figures of his day. Lithographs like these were widely circulated in newspapers and journals, reaching a broad audience. Consider the role of visual media in shaping public opinion in 19th-century France – can you see Daumier actively engaging with the cultural issues of his time? Editor: Absolutely, the exaggeration is so pointed. Is it simply to ridicule Favre? Curator: Not necessarily simple ridicule. Daumier's work offers insights into the cultural anxieties and power dynamics of the time. Exaggeration served as a powerful tool, a visual language readily understood and capable of subverting the established order. Consider the crowd, a faceless mass compared to Favre: Daumier is setting up a dichotomy. The caption mentions Favre's dwindling number of friends, playing with the irony of a leader and his popularity. Editor: So it is as much about societal commentary as personal attack? Curator: Precisely! And think about the function of these images. They served as accessible critiques in a society where outright dissent could be dangerous. The seemingly simple act of distributing these lithographs was in itself a form of political engagement. Editor: That changes my perspective entirely. I was focused on the visual style, but now I see its broader function in 19th-century discourse. Curator: Exactly! It shows the vital, public role that art played, a form of communication shaping ideas about power.

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