Gargantua 1831

Honoré Daumier created this lithograph, Gargantua, in France during the early 1830s, a time of significant social and political unrest. Daumier was deeply affected by the socio-economic disparities of 19th-century France, and his artwork often serves as social commentary. Here, he satirizes King Louis-Philippe, depicting him as a giant seated figure reminiscent of Rabelais’s Gargantua, consuming vast quantities of food, which represents the wealth of the nation. A long ramp extends from the king's mouth, down which bags of money are carried by laborers from the working class. This money is then collected by government officials. Meanwhile, the people are left to scavenge for scraps. Daumier critiques the monarchy’s exploitation of the poor, and highlights the suffering of the masses. The image is grotesque yet powerful, provoking a sense of injustice. Daumier's lithograph allows us to reflect on the emotional and political impact of economic inequality. It is a stark reminder of the human cost of unchecked power and greed.