Position réputée la plus commode pour un portrait au daguerréotype 24 - 1847

Honoré Daumier created this lithograph in 19th-century France, a time when the bourgeoisie was solidifying its power. Daumier was a master of social critique, and here he turns his satirical eye toward the emerging technology of photography and its impact on middle-class identity. The image presents a scene of portraiture. A stout bourgeois sits stiffly for a daguerreotype, his head clamped in place for stability. The photographer, draped in cloth, peers into the camera. Through visual codes, Daumier critiques the bourgeoisie's desire for representation and status. The sitter, despite his discomfort, seeks to immortalize himself through this new medium, reinforcing his social standing. Daumier was working at a time when the illustrated press was flourishing, institutions such as Le Charivari circulated his social commentary widely. By studying these publications and the social conditions of 19th-century France, we can understand Daumier's commentary on the era's values. Ultimately, Daumier's art reflects the complex interplay between social class, technological advancement, and the institutions that mediate their relationship.