Vous yoyez ici les grandes célébrités... c. 19th century

This lithograph is by Honoré Daumier, a French printmaker, caricaturist, painter, and sculptor, who lived in a time of great social and political change in France. Daumier often used his art to critique the bourgeoisie and the elite of French society, making pointed comments about the social hierarchy and the struggles of everyday life. In this print, titled 'You see here the great celebrities…' Daumier depicts literary, musical, and artistic celebrities of France. Daumier's caricatures were more than mere physical exaggerations; they were astute observations of character and social standing. The people are presented on stage at ‘36 feet below sea level’ which emphasizes an emotional and personal aspect of the artwork. This positioning suggests their moral or social degradation. Daumier uses humor as a tool to engage viewers, inviting them to reflect on the inequalities and absurdities of their own society. He emphasizes an aspect of how the artwork shapes societal issues while referencing the personal and emotional dimensions of the piece.