Laurent Cunin, called Cunin-Gridaine c. 1832 - 1950

Honoré Daumier made this bronze bust of Laurent Cunin, called Cunin-Gridaine, sometime in the 19th century. Daumier was a fiercely political artist in France, well-known for his caricatures of politicians and bourgeois society. This sculpture, though a portrait, carries that same spirit. Notice the exaggerated features, the heavy brow, and the stern expression. Daumier is not simply recording a likeness, but offering a commentary on the man's character and, perhaps, the social class he represents. France in the 19th century was a hotbed of political and social change, and Daumier's art often reflected these tensions. He used lithography and sculpture to critique the powerful and advocate for the common person. Art history is about understanding the world in which an artwork was made, so to fully appreciate Daumier, one must dig into the history of French politics, the rise of the bourgeoisie, and the role of satire in social critique.