Jean-Marie Fruchard (1788-1872), Deputy 1833

This is Honoré Daumier's caricature of Jean-Marie Fruchard, made in the 1830s or 40s from unbaked clay. Daumier was a master of satire, and here, the soft, easily molded clay allows him to exaggerate Fruchard’s features, mocking his pomposity. The way Daumier has worked the material is key; you can see the marks of his fingers, giving the sculpture a raw, immediate feel. It’s as if he’s captured Fruchard in a moment of intense disapproval, freezing it in the clay itself. The choice of such a humble material is significant. While marble or bronze were typically used for formal portraiture, Daumier chose clay, a substance associated with craft and the everyday. This wasn’t just a portrait; it was a statement about power, class, and the very nature of representation. By elevating a ‘low’ material to the realm of art, Daumier challenges traditional hierarchies. This bust invites us to consider how materials and making processes can be powerful tools for social commentary, blurring the lines between art and craft.