Mlle. Etienne Seconde Cunigonde Biecassine de Constitutionnel - Honoré Daumier

A satirical 1834 lithograph by Honoré Daumier, depicting a scandalised member of the conservative French bourgeoisie at the theatre.

This lithograph by Honoré Daumier, published in the journal La Caricature in 1834, captures the biting social satire for which the artist is known. The subject is a caricature of a conservative theatre-goer, depicted with exaggerated features that mock the vanity and perceived moral rigidity of the French bourgeoisie during the July Monarchy. Daumier uses the medium of lithography to achieve a range of tonal values, from the soft shading of the subject's skin to the darker, more dramatic shadows that define the theatre box setting.

The figure is presented with a high-piled hairstyle adorned with flowers, a fan held in a gesture of affected refinement, and a low-cut gown. Her expression is one of disdainful shock, reflecting the caption's narrative: she is supposedly scandalised by the performance of Alexandre Dumas's play, Antony. Daumier employs his characteristic line work to emphasise the grotesque nature of the character, using heavy, expressive strokes to define the folds of her skin and the rigid posture of her upper body. The composition is tightly framed, focusing entirely on the subject's reaction, which serves to isolate her within her own narrow worldview.

Daumier was a prolific observer of Parisian life, and his work often targeted the political and social elite. By focusing on the theatre, a space where social performance was as important as the play itself, he exposes the hypocrisy of those who claimed to uphold traditional values while participating in the spectacle of public life. This print remains a sharp example of nineteenth-century satirical art, demonstrating the artist's ability to condense complex social critique into a single, memorable image. The technical execution shows the mastery of lithographic crayon, allowing for a fluid yet precise rendering of texture and form.