A biting 1834 political lithograph by Honoré Daumier, depicting King Louis-Philippe I as an undertaker mocking the funeral of the Marquis de Lafayette.

This lithograph by Honoré Daumier, titled Enfoncé Lafayette! Attrappe, mon vieux!, is a biting piece of political satire from 1834. It depicts King Louis-Philippe I of France in the guise of an undertaker, standing over the grave of the Marquis de Lafayette. The monarch is shown with his characteristic pear-shaped head, a visual shorthand Daumier frequently employed to mock the king's perceived greed and incompetence. The king appears to be feigning grief, clutching a handkerchief to his face while looking down at the burial site, yet his posture and the caption suggest a cynical opportunism.

Daumier was a master of the lithographic medium, using it to critique the social and political structures of July Monarchy France. His work often appeared in journals such as Le Charivari, where he pushed the boundaries of what could be published regarding the ruling class. The composition uses a stark, monochromatic palette to draw attention to the central figure of the king, who stands isolated in the foreground against the backdrop of a funeral procession. The contrast between the solemnity of the burial and the king's performative mourning creates a sense of dark irony. The title, which translates roughly to 'Lafayette is done for! Catch, old man!', reflects the political climate of the time, where the death of the revolutionary hero Lafayette was viewed by the monarchy as a chance to consolidate power without the influence of liberal opposition.

This print captures the tension between the French public and the crown. Daumier's ability to condense complex political narratives into a single, punchy image remains his most recognisable contribution to the history of graphic art. The work is a primary document of 19th-century French political discourse, offering a glimpse into the methods used by artists to challenge authority through visual media.