Mr. Cunin Grid...(Cunin-Gridaine) 1833

Honore Daumier created this lithograph of Mr. Cunin-Gridaine, a French politician during the July Monarchy. Daumier was working in a time of censorship, when caricature became a potent tool for critiquing the powerful. Here, we see Daumier's skill in using physical appearance to comment on character and social standing. The artist exaggerates Cunin-Gridaine's features, inflating his jowls, and rendering him with a certain pomposity. The figure's posture, with one hand casually tucked into his trousers, suggests arrogance. This wasn't merely about mocking an individual's looks, but about questioning the values and legitimacy of the ruling class. Daumier’s caricatures were immensely popular because they gave visual form to the frustrations and aspirations of ordinary people. These images were a form of social commentary, which invited viewers to reflect on the relationship between those in power and the people they governed.