Nous sommes tous d'honnêtes gens - Honoré Daumier

A biting 1834 political lithograph by Honoré Daumier, depicting government officials picking each other's pockets while feigning a friendly embrace.

This lithograph by Honoré Daumier, titled 'Nous sommes tous d'honnêtes gens, embrassons-nous, et que ça finisse' (We are all honest people, let us embrace, and let it end), was published in the journal La Caricature in 1834. It serves as a biting critique of the French government under the July Monarchy. Daumier depicts various political figures engaged in a group embrace, a gesture that masks their true intentions as they simultaneously pick each other's pockets. The central figure, often identified as King Louis-Philippe, is shown participating in this hypocritical display of unity.

Daumier employs his characteristic mastery of lithography to convey both physical weight and moral corruption. The figures are rendered with heavy, expressive lines that define their bulky forms and suspicious postures. The composition is arranged to draw the eye toward the centre, where the act of theft occurs under the guise of reconciliation. The artist uses the medium to expose the duplicity of the ruling class, stripping away the veneer of political decorum to reveal the greed beneath.

This work is a prime example of Daumier's contribution to 19th-century social commentary. His ability to capture the essence of a political climate through visual satire made him a frequent target of censorship. The print remains a sharp observation of power dynamics and the performative nature of political alliances. By focusing on the physical interaction of the figures, Daumier creates a scene that is both humorous and deeply cynical, reflecting the tensions of the era. The print is a significant piece for those interested in the history of political satire and the development of lithography as a tool for public discourse.