Lilliputiens essayant de profiter du sommeil... 1850

Honoré Daumier created this lithograph as a political cartoon, likely in the mid-19th century. It depicts a sleeping giant, labeled "Suffrage Universel," beset by tiny figures resembling Lilliputians from "Gulliver's Travels." The giant symbolizes the concept of universal suffrage, a powerful but dormant force. The Lilliputians, swarming and attempting to exploit his sleep, represent various political factions or societal elements trying to manipulate or undermine this force for their own gain. Note the halo above one figure's head, contrasting sharply with the horns adorning another, hinting at the moral ambivalence of their actions. This motif of a giant being besieged by smaller beings echoes through history, from the Greek myth of the Titans to Renaissance depictions of giants battling gods. This image strikes at the core of humanity’s complex relationship with power and manipulation, engaging us on a deeply subconscious level with its depiction of vulnerability and opportunism. The cyclical nature of history is visible as the narrative of power being contested and manipulated recurs, reflecting the constant tensions between ideals and reality.