A 1873 watercolour and ink study by Henry Bonaventure Monnier, depicting the artist in the persona of his satirical character, Joseph Prud'homme.

Henry Bonaventure Monnier was a French illustrator, writer, and actor, best known for his creation of the character Joseph Prud'homme. This figure served as a satirical archetype of the French bourgeoisie during the nineteenth century. Monnier often performed as Prud'homme on stage, adopting the persona to critique the pomposity and narrow-mindedness of the middle class. In this 1873 work, Monnier depicts himself in the guise of his famous creation. The figure stands with a self-important posture, wearing the characteristic spectacles and formal attire that defined the character. The drawing employs a combination of ink lines and watercolour washes, capturing the physical presence of the man with a focus on his stout frame and stern expression. Monnier's approach to portraiture here is rooted in his background as a caricaturist. He uses economy of line to suggest the weight and texture of the clothing, while the subtle application of colour provides depth to the figure against the plain paper background. The work functions as both a personal record and a continuation of his theatrical project. By embodying the character he invented, Monnier blurs the line between the artist and his subject. This piece offers a glimpse into the intersection of literature, theatre, and visual art in nineteenth-century France. It captures the essence of a character who became a cultural shorthand for bourgeois pretension, rendered with the sharp observation that defined Monnier's career as a social commentator.