Art Against Censorship

Honoré Daumier’s artistic journey began within the confines of a prison cell, his first paintings emerging during a six-month sentence in 1832. Convicted for inciting hatred against the king, he navigated a politically charged era where explicit subjects faced censorship in the press. Renowned as a political cartoonist, Daumier (1808-79) delved into literary satire, transcending caricature due to repressive measures. Exploring painting, sculpture, and watercolor, he drew inspiration from La Fontaine, Molière, and Cervantes, using their characters and narratives to infuse his political statements with a glorified literary context. This book illuminates Daumier’s ingenious approach to political resistance in nineteenth-century France.