Expliquez-moi donc, monsieur Badoulard...

Art Historical Context

Honoré Daumier, a master of 19th-century French caricature, created *Expliquez-moi donc monsieur Badoulard... in 1851 as a lithograph, a medium he revolutionized for sharp social commentary. This print belongs to his vast output of over 4,000 lithographs, published in satirical journals like *Le Charivari*. The title, translating to "Explain to me then, Mr. Badoulard...," evokes a scene of exasperated dialogue, likely skewering the pompous bourgeoisie or legal class—familiar targets in Daumier's work amid France's turbulent Second Republic. Daumier's lithographs captured the era's social tensions with exaggerated realism: dynamic lines, expressive faces, and biting humor that critiqued inequality and hypocrisy. Produced just before Napoleon III's coup, this piece reflects the political satire that once landed Daumier in prison for his 1834 cartoon *Gargantua*. Lithography's affordability allowed wide distribution, making his critiques accessible to the public. Today, housed in the National Gallery of Art's Rosenwald Collection (Department CG-E), this print exemplifies Daumier's enduring legacy as a chronicler of human folly, blending artistry with activism in a format that democratized satire.

About the Artist

Honoré Daumier · 1810–1879

Honoré-Victorin Daumier (1808-1879) was a prolific French printmaker, caricaturist, painter, and sculptor whose works offered incisive commentary on the social and political life of 19th-century France. Known as the 'Michelangelo of Caricature,' Daumier produced over 4,000 lithographs, 500 paintings, 1,000 drawings, and 100 sculptures during his lifetime. His biting political satire led to his imp...