Karikatuur van Victor Prunelle 1833

This is Honoré Daumier's caricature of Victor Prunelle, rendered with lithographic crayon. The hunched posture and downcast eyes suggest a burden, not just physical but perhaps emotional or psychological. The exaggerated belly might symbolize greed or excess, qualities often associated with societal figures of power. Consider how such depictions echo through time, harking back to images of Bacchus, the Roman god of wine, or even the more grotesque representations of vice in medieval morality plays. These motifs transcend mere physical appearance. They tap into a collective memory, a shared understanding of human failings and moral decay. The very act of caricature serves as a form of catharsis, allowing viewers to confront and critique societal issues through the exaggerated depiction of individuals. This image becomes a vessel for the anxieties and frustrations of its time. Ultimately, Daumier’s caricature is not just a portrait of an individual but a mirror reflecting deeper cultural and psychological currents.