Daumier, Honore (French, 180.8-1879). LE VENTRE LEGISLATIF. Lithograph, 1834. Published by L'Association Mensuelle in the issue of January, 1834. With the ceneterfold, but also folded horizontally. Signed in the stone. 11 x 17 1/8 inches (image), 14 x 21 1/2 inches (sheet). The folds are apparent in the margins, but very unobtrusive in the image. The title translates as "The Legislative Belly." The print is Daumier's satirical commentary on kind of people who made up the Chamber of Deputies in January of 1834. He shows them fat, and self-satisfied, implying that concern for the public good, was not first on their minds. 1834 was a very volatile year in French politics with an insurrection in Lyon which was put down by military force. Conservatives who supported the monarchy and the status quo won the elections to the Chamber of Deputies. Only 200,000 people, those who paid a minimum of 200 Francs in taxes, were eleigible to vote (the population of France was then 30,000,000). This print, with its strong graphic design and its forthright critique is among Daumiers most significant works.
