Oui, Mossieu Fremouillet, tout va de mal en pis ...

Art Historical Context

Honoré Daumier's *Oui, Mossieu Fremou, tout va de mal pis ...* (1852) is a sharp lithograph that captures the artist's mastery of social satire during France's turbulent Second Republic. Daumier, a prolific 19th-century caricatur, produced thousands of prints for journals like *Le Charivari*, skewering the bourgeoisie, politicians, and everydayities. This work, translating roughly to "Yes, Monsieur Fremouillet, everything is going from bad to worse," likely depicts a humorous exchange highlighting economic woes or social frustrations amid the era's political upheaval leading to Napoleon III's rise. Lithography was Daumier's ideal medium, allowing for bold lines, expressive faces, and rapid production for wide distribution—revolutionary for disseminating critique to the masses. His dynamic compositions and empathetic yet biting portrayals of ordinary folk elevated caricature to fine art, influencing later cartoonists and illustrators. Part of the National Gallery of Art's Corcoran Collection (Gift of Dr. Armand Hammer), this print exemplifies Daumier's enduring cultural impact: a witty mirror to 19th-century French society that still resonates today.

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...