Koning van Yvetot op een ezel

About this artwork

De zogenaamde koning van Yvetot, uit het beroemde lied van De Béranger, rijdt op een ezel door een landschap. Zijn hond en een bierpul vergezellen hem.

Art Historical Context

Nicolas Toussaint Charlet a prolific French lithographer known for his witty caricatures and military scenes, captures a whimsical moment in *Koning van Yvet op een ezel* (1835). This lively print depicts the so-called King of Yvetot—drawn from Pierre-Jean de Béranger beloved satirical song—trotting through a pastoral landscape astride a donkey. Flanked by a loyal dog and clutching a beer mug, the humble monarch embodies carefree simplicity, his crown askew in a nod to rustic joy. The artwork draws from Béranger's 1813 hit "Le Roi d'Yvetot," a cheeky jab at Napoleon Bonaparte during the Bourbon Restoration. The song contrasts the emperor's grand ambitions with Yvetot's obscure, contented king, who reigns without wars or glory: "Il est mort sans conquérir—yet his people laughed and sang." Charlet's image, created amid France's July Monarchy, revives this anti-heroic spirit, poking fun at power while celebrating everyday pleasures—a cultural touchstone for 19th-century audiences. As a lithography measuring 247 × 338 mm, the piece showcases Charlet's mastery of the medium, which allowed affordable, detailed reproductions ideal for satire. Its fluid lines and expressive figures highlight Romantic-era humor, making political commentary accessible and enduring for the masses. A delightful window into French folklore and folly!

About the Artist

Nicolas Toussaint Charlet · 1792–1845

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