Le Prince de Hohenzollern... 1870

This is an undated lithograph by Honoré Daumier titled ‘Le Prince de Hohenzollern...’. The image is dominated by contrasting textures and tones, as it draws the eye through a political commentary on power and its consequences. The composition stages Prince Hohenzollern in the lower left, his forward momentum arrested before a 'staircase' of corpses. Above this human carnage sits an ornate chair, a clear symbol of authority and the object of Hohenzollern's desire. Daumier's use of line is particularly effective here, with dense, chaotic strokes defining the mass of bodies, while more controlled lines delineate the Prince’s form, emphasizing his precarious stance. This visual language challenges fixed meanings of heroism and leadership, suggesting a dark underbelly to political ambition. The prince’s hesitancy, combined with the macabre staircase, invites viewers to question the values and the human cost associated with the pursuit of power. Art serves not merely as a reflection but as a critical interrogation of societal structures.