Il y a pourtant des gens qui ressemblent a ça!

Art Historical Context

Honoré Daumier’s *Il y a pourtant des gens ressemblent a ça!*1839) is a sharp-witted lithograph on newsprint, capturing the artist’s mastery of caricature during the July Monarchy. Printed likely for a satirical publication like *Le Charivari*, Daumier contributed hundreds of works, this piece exemplifies his ability to skewer social pretensions with exaggerated features and wry commentary. The title, translating to “There are nevertheless people who like that!”, hints at his biting humor targeting the bourgeoisie or political elite, whose vanity he relentlessly mocked. Daumier pioneered lithography as a democratic medium, allowing mass reproduction on affordable newsprint to reach wide audiences and fuel public discourse. His loose, expressive lines and realistic yet grotesque portrayals bridged caricature and fine art, influencing later Realist movements. This technique made his critiques—often aimed at corruption under King Louis-Philippe—both accessible and incendiary; Daumier himself faced imprisonment for earlier satires. Acquired through the Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund for the National Gallery of Art’s Print Department (CG-E), this work remains a testament to 19th-century France’s vibrant press culture, reminding us how art can provoke laughter and reflection on human folly.

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...