Charles-Léonce-Victor, Duc de Broglie c. 1832 - 1950

Curator: Here we have Honoré Daumier's bronze sculpture "Charles-Léonce-Victor, Duc de Broglie," estimated to have been created between 1832 and 1950. Editor: It's striking! There’s a raw emotional intensity captured in the texture of the bronze and the duke’s contorted facial expression. What is he, screaming? Or is he gasping in agony? Curator: Well, Daumier was known for his satirical caricatures of French society. His sculptures, including this one, served as commentary on the political and social landscape of his time. Daumier worked in opposition to the institutions of power. Editor: Yes, I see it now. Observe the rough, almost brutal, modeling. The features are exaggerated, and the surface is quite irregular, particularly around the neck and face. Curator: Precisely! That roughness amplifies the emotional impact. We cannot ignore the Duke’s posture, it is deliberately unflattering. Editor: Do you think he approved of the outcome? Is it supposed to hang in his salon? What did his contemporaries think of it? Curator: Such sculptures circulated in politically engaged artistic circles, mocking prominent figures of the day. This ensured that the social role of political satire extended into everyday society. These busts become very well known. Editor: It is a compelling illustration of how art can serve as a potent instrument for voicing disagreement, critique, and, dare I say, resistance against authority. Curator: Exactly, Daumier really embodies that subversive spirit! A remarkable example of how political context and art intertwine. Editor: Seeing Daumier’s technique—the texture, the distorted expression—shifts my perspective of bronze work entirely. Curator: Absolutely. Its rough expressiveness really sticks with you.