Mr. Guiz.., plate 340 from Célébrités de la Caricature 1833

This is a lithograph of French statesman François Guizot, made by Honoré Daumier in France. The image is taken from Daumier’s series 'Célébrités de la Caricature', published in Le Charivari. Here, Daumier satirizes Guizot's conservative politics during the July Monarchy. The weary posture and closed-off body language speak to a sense of political and social stagnation. Guizot was a dominant figure in French politics, but his resistance to reform ultimately contributed to the 1848 Revolution. The artist exaggerates Guizot’s features to highlight what Daumier saw as his subject's obstinacy and lack of empathy. Daumier’s lithographs were popular because they offered a critical perspective on the political and social issues of the day. His work appeared in newspapers, alongside written commentary and this reveals how popular imagery contributed to the formation of public opinion. Art historians consult archives of newspapers and periodicals from the time to understand the social and political context in which an artwork was made.