Maréchal Soult 1832

Curator: This is Honoré Daumier's "Maréchal Soult," housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. Look at the lithographic rendering. It certainly carries a satirical edge. Editor: Yes, that's palpable. The face is…distorted, almost grotesque. And what's with the heraldry below? It feels discordant. Curator: Daumier often used caricature to critique the powerful. Consider the mass production of lithographs in 19th century France and the rise of political cartooning. Editor: The heraldic symbols, though, speak to Soult's ambition, don't they? The crest becomes another layer of commentary, a contrast between perceived honor and the artist's pointed critique. Curator: Indeed. The very act of printing these images allowed for a wider dissemination of critical views. It also democratized art consumption. Editor: Ultimately, it's about the symbols of power, and how they're perceived, subverted, and remembered. Curator: A critical lens on power, available to the masses. Editor: A perfect example of the visual vocabulary of political commentary.