En délicatesse c. 19th century

Honoré Daumier created this lithograph called ‘En délicatesse’. Daumier used his skills as a caricaturist to create works with a strong social and political critique. Here, Daumier exaggerates the features of the legal profession to comment on the corruption of the French courts during the July Monarchy. The lawyers in this image are rendered with grotesque features. The title, which translates as ‘with delicacy’, is ironic, given their insensitive treatment of justice. The use of caricature was not simply a matter of artistic license. It was a deliberate strategy to challenge the authority and legitimacy of the ruling class. To understand Daumier’s art, we need to examine the social conditions that shaped its production, including the rise of the popular press, the growth of political dissent, and the complex relationship between art and power. Researching the history of French law, and the tradition of satire are good resources. We can reflect on the meaning of art as something that is contingent on social and institutional context.