The Society Man (Monsieur Joseph Prudhomme) 1874

"The Society Man (Monsieur Joseph Prudhomme)" is a caricature by French artist Henry-Bonaventure Monnier, created in 1874. This small drawing portrays a man in a dark suit and a large, white cravat. The exaggerated features and the inscription beneath the figure ("Oh! how narrow is society, and life!") highlight the artist's satirical take on the societal norms of the time, particularly focusing on the pretentiousness and superficiality of high society. The work, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, showcases Monnier's ability to capture social commentary through his unique style of caricature.