Un Jour de Grande Tenue 1844

Honoré Daumier created this lithograph, "Un Jour de Grande Tenue," using lines to define form and shadow. The composition immediately draws attention to the contrast between the two figures. Daumier masterfully employs caricature to critique the pomposity of military figures. The stark contrast in stature and expression between the two men serves as a visual commentary on social hierarchies and individual vanity. The corpulent officer on the right, with his exaggerated features and self-important salute, stands in contrast to the leaner, more reserved figure beside him. The cross-hatching in the lithographic technique, mimics the visual weight and texture. Note how Daumier uses line to create volume and texture, particularly in the rendering of the uniforms. Through this formal approach, Daumier’s critique extends beyond mere political satire. It questions the very structures of power and representation. The artwork leaves us pondering the relationship between appearance and reality, and the ways in which society constructs its figures of authority.