The hunted hunter, plate 4 from La Chasse 1843

Honoré Daumier created this lithograph, "The Hunted Hunter," in 19th-century France, a period marked by social and political upheaval. It is a part of a series of satirical prints titled "La Chasse," which translates to 'The Hunt' in English. Daumier uses caricature to humorously invert the traditional power dynamic of the hunt. Typically, we see the wealthy elite engaging in hunting, a symbol of their dominance over nature and the lower classes. Here, the hunter, dressed in the attire of the bourgeoisie, is now the one being chased, a reversal that can be seen as a subtle critique of the social order. Daumier published his prints in newspapers like Le Charivari, reaching a wide audience and engaging with the daily concerns of Parisians. His work often served as social commentary, questioning the values and norms of the time. Art historians can delve into these prints, using period newspapers and political pamphlets, to uncover the nuances of Daumier’s critique and its reception by the public. The meaning of art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.