Sainte Rosette Tamisier ... c. 19th century

This is an undated lithograph by Honoré Daumier. It encapsulates the artist's sharp wit and political critique amidst the tumultuous social landscape of 19th-century France. Daumier’s caricature of Sainte Rosette Tamisier, transforming into an angel, is loaded with satire. Here we see a critique of religious fervor. Tamisier, known for her supposed miracles, is depicted alongside a figure representing "L'Univers Relicieux," hinting at the commercialization and exploitation of religious belief. The visual exaggeration serves to lampoon the gullibility of the masses and the opportunism of religious figures. Daumier’s focus on the body and the grotesque speaks to the time's uneasy relationship between the sacred and the profane. It is a commentary on the spectacle of faith and the social hierarchies perpetuated by religious institutions. The print invites us to consider how power dynamics and individual piety intersect, challenging us to reflect on the role of skepticism in the face of grand narratives.