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Sou... (Maréchal Soult), Plate 172 from La Caricature, No. 86

Creator Honoré Daumier (French, 1808 - 1879)

Date1832

Mediumlithograph on wove paper

DimensionsImage: 27.6 x 16.8 cm (10 7/8 x 6 5/8 in.)
Overall: 34.7 x 26.1 cm (13 11/16 x 10 1/4 in.)

Credit LineGift of the Trier-Fodor Foundation, 1979

Category

Prints

Object number79/29

ProvenanceThis lithograph is part of a series of portraits of French politicians that appeared in La Caricature and Le Charivari. Nicolas Soult (1769-1851) held important positions in all the regimes he lived through. He was a Minister of War under Napoleon I and won several victories. He only took to politics in 1820s, during the reign of Charles X. As a Peer of France during the July Monarchy, Soult was involved in the 1834 riots and was a prime target for caricaturists. Daumier depicts Soult from his waste up and his facial expression is glum. Emphasis is placed on his large forehead and awkwardly shaped chin. Such a portrait reminds the viewer that Daumier had an interest in the science of phrenology. An imaginary coat of arms occupies the lower portion of the print. This device was invented by Charles Philipon and was present on a few of the portraits of prominent politicians at the time. Soult’s coat of arms consists of money bags, bicorn hats, and a fleur de lys which is crossed out by a tricolor ribbon. These symbols allude to Soult’s military and political involvements and to his opportunism.

LocationNot currently on display

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