Illustration in Jérôme Paturot, by Louis Reybaud, Paris, 1846 1841 - 1851

This pen and ink illustration by French artist J.J. Grandville is a satirical commentary on the social and political climate of mid-19th century France. Created between 1841-1851 for the book *Jérôme Paturot*, the drawing utilizes caricature and symbolism to depict the absurdity of social mobility and ambition. The image features a man climbing a ladder decorated with medals, while surrounded by objects representing various social pursuits, all juxtaposed with lightning bolts and a stormy sky. Grandville's signature grotesque style adds humor and critique to a complex social commentary, making this a prime example of 19th-century satirical art.