Le Futur monument de Napoléon aux Invalides 1842

"Le Futur Monument de Napoléon aux Invalides" (1842) is a satirical lithograph by Honoré Daumier, a renowned French caricaturist and artist. The artwork critiques the proposed monument for Napoleon Bonaparte at the Hôtel des Invalides in Paris. Daumier depicts a group of people gathered around a small, empty hole in the ground, suggesting the monument's grandeur is all talk and no substance. The exaggerated figures and humorous depiction of the situation highlight Daumier's biting social commentary and expose the absurdity of grandiose projects. His work often addressed political issues, social injustices, and the hypocrisy of the wealthy, making him a powerful voice for the common people.