Louis XIV troubled at the prospects for the Bourbons, from 'News of the day,' published in "Le Charivari"
Original title: Louis XIV troubled at the prospects for the Bourbons, from 'News of the day,' published in "Le Charivari"
kurzbeschreibung
Honoré Daumier made this lithograph in 1871, showing Louis XIV as a worried observer at the door of the National Assembly. Published in the satirical journal Le Charivari, the print exemplifies Daumier's political image criticism during the Third Republic.
Description
Louis XIV appears in a theatrical garment reminiscent of his historical dress but caricaturally exaggerated. His facial expression and the folds of the fabric reveal deep concern and unease. Behind him are the door of the National Assembly and an equestrian statue on a pedestal. The image is in black and white; the layout places the king in the foreground.
Context
The lithograph is dated December 22, 1871, a phase after the Franco-Prussian War and the Paris Commune, as the Third Republic was consolidating in France. Daumier, known for his political caricatures, here took up the dynastic ambitions of the Bourbons, who were represented in the National Assembly. Le Charivari served as a significant platform for satirical criticism of monarchy and government.
Impact
The viewer is met with an oppressive mood that uses the historical distance to Louis XIV to mock current political fears. The exaggerated mimicry and the monumental equestrian statue make the image appear both ironic and threatening, prompting reflection on the fragility of monarchical claims.
Technique
Daumier used lithography on newsprint, a process that allowed quick and inexpensive prints for the daily press. The sheet is preserved in the second state (Delteil), indicating a revision of the plate. Fine hatching and contrasts demonstrate Daumier's skill in the lithographic rendering of emotions and architecture.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)