Gargantua 1831

"Gargantua" is a lithograph by Honoré Daumier, a French artist, created in 1831. It depicts a giant figure, a satirical representation of King Louis-Philippe, consuming a long loaf of bread while a crowd of people desperately scavenge for scraps at his feet. Daumier's work was often critical of the French government and social injustices. This print highlights the disparity between the rich and poor and the perceived greed and self-indulgence of the monarchy, reflecting the social and political climate of 19th-century France. The artwork, currently housed in the Bibliothèque nationale de France, remains a powerful symbol of social commentary and Daumier's mastery of caricature.