Mariage de l'Époque et du Constitutionnel 1846

Honoré Daumier created this lithograph, Mariage de l'Époque et du Constitutionnel, during a time of immense political and social change in France. It serves as a satirical commentary on the uneasy alliance between two newspapers of the time. The artwork cleverly uses the visual metaphor of a marriage to critique the press. The bride, representing L'Époque, is adorned in a gown printed with headlines, symbolizing the superficial nature of the press. The groom, Le Constitutionnel, is portrayed as a rather aged and weary figure, suggesting a paper clinging to traditional values, perhaps past its prime. This union seems less about love and more about political expediency. Daumier often used his art to challenge the status quo. His work highlights how media can be manipulated to serve political agendas, thereby shaping public opinion. This print allows us to reflect on the complex relationship between media, power, and the public. In the end it compels us to consider whose interests are truly being served.