Pierre-Paul Rover Collard, Deputy 1832

Honoré Daumier created this painted clay bust of Pierre-Paul Royer-Collard, a French deputy, sometime in the 19th century. Daumier was deeply engaged in the social and political issues of his time. He wasn't just an artist, he was a political commentator using satire to critique the French bourgeoisie. The bust is part of a series Daumier created representing members of the French parliament. Note the exaggerated features: the heavy jowls, the pursed lips, the overall air of self-importance. Daumier's making a statement about power and privilege. France in the 1830s was a society sharply divided by class, and Daumier used his art to challenge the status quo. He was arrested and imprisoned for his caricatures of King Louis-Philippe. To truly understand Daumier’s work, we can look at newspapers and political pamphlets from the period to understand the context in which it was made. This bust isn't just a portrait, it's a social commentary, reflecting a specific moment in French history.