Télémaque et Mentor c. 19th century

Honoré Daumier created this lithograph, "Télémaque et Mentor" in France in 1842. The image refers to a famous story from Homer’s Odyssey, but Daumier uses the tale of Mentor abandoning Telemachus on an island to satirize contemporary French politics. Daumier was known for his caricatures, which were frequently published in the French press. The visual codes in this work, such as the exaggerated features and ungainly poses of the figures, are hallmarks of this style. France in the 1840s was a society marked by increasing social and political tensions, and censorship laws affected what could be published. Daumier used humor and historical or literary references to comment on current events while avoiding direct confrontation with the authorities. His art questioned the status quo. Understanding Daumier’s lithographs requires a close look at the social and institutional context in which they were produced. Historians of the press, print culture, and political movements in France can offer deeper insights into the social commentary of Daumier’s art.