“I'm guarding city hall” 1822

Honoré Daumier made "I'm guarding city hall," a lithograph, during a period of significant political upheaval in France. It is a satirical portrayal of the bourgeois militia, capturing the socio-political atmosphere of 19th-century France, marked by revolution and social change. Daumier often used his art to comment on the lives of the working class and critique the bourgeoisie. This piece reflects those themes, highlighting the contrast between the perceived duty of the guards and their actual idleness. The image subtly critiques the social order and the role of the citizen militia. There's a quiet commentary on the human condition embedded in the scene. The expressions and postures of the guards suggest a sense of weariness or disillusionment. Through this piece, Daumier touches on themes of social duty, class, and the human cost of political unrest. The artist prompts us to consider the individuals caught within these historical currents and the ways in which power dynamics shape everyday life.