Felix Barthe (1796-1863), Minister of Justice and Deputy 1833

Honoré Daumier created this unpainted clay sculpture of Felix Barthe, the Minister of Justice and Deputy in France, sometime in the mid-19th century. Daumier was known for his caricatures of political figures and the elite class during the July Monarchy and the Second Empire. He used art as a form of social commentary, critiquing the corruption and hypocrisy he saw in French society. Here, we can see how he uses the exaggerated features of this sculpture to highlight the perceived arrogance and self-importance of Barthe. Daumier's work provides valuable insight into the social and political climate of 19th century France. By studying his sculptures, alongside other sources from the period, we can gain a deeper understanding of the issues that were important to people at the time, and the ways in which art can be used as a tool for social change. The study of Daumier's sculptures and lithographs offer us insight into the social and political upheavals of 19th-century France.