General Mortier, the evening before the battle of Waterloo, plate 456

Art Historical Context

Honoré-Victorin Daumier, a pioneering French lithographer and caricaturist (1808–1879), *General Mortier, the Before the Battle of Waterloo, 456* in 1835. This black lithograph on ivory wove captures a dramatic moment evoking the tension of the Napoleonic Wars, depicting Marshal Édouard Mortier on the eve of the fateful 1815 battle. during the July Monarchy, when Bonapartist nostalgia lingered amid political satire, Daumier's reflects the era's fascination with heroic military figures and historical drama. Daumier's mastery of lithography—a revolutionary printing technique invented decades earlier—allowed for bold, expressive lines and tonal depth on the modest 20.6 × 22.1 cm image. As part of his vast output of over 4,000 prints, often for journals like *La Caricature*, this piece showcases his caricature style: exaggerated features and emotional intensity that blend realism with biting commentary. The larger sheet size (27.2 × 35 cm) suggests it was designed for affordable dissemination, making high drama accessible to the public. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Prints and Drawings Department, this lithograph highlights lithography's role in democratizing art, bridging fine art and popular culture while immortalizing a pivotal historical instant. Visitors will appreciate Daumier's ability to infuse quiet anticipation with profound pathos.

About the Artist

Honoré-Victorin Daumier · 1808–1879

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...