Hippolyte lardé par Cupidon c. 19th century

This lithograph of "Hippolyte Lardé par Cupidon" was made by Honoré Daumier, a French artist known for his satirical commentary on 19th-century French society. Daumier’s print depicts the hunter Hippolyte being attacked by Cupid. This references classical mythology, but Daumier’s version is far from heroic. Hippolyte, typically a figure of strength, is shown as vulnerable, his bow and arrow replaced by a flute. Cupid, in turn, is far from the cherubic figure; he appears as a menacing child armed with arrows. Daumier worked during a time of significant social and political change in France, and made many of his prints for the magazine "Le Charivari". In the era of mass media, this made his work widely accessible. Through his art, Daumier offered a critique of social institutions and the status quo. To fully appreciate Daumier's work, we can consult periodicals of the time, museum archives, and critical texts. Understanding the political and cultural context is vital to understanding art as an agent of change.