A satirical 1833 lithograph by Honoré Daumier depicting the Marquis de La Fayette in a state of political distress.

This lithograph, titled Le Cauchemar, was published in the French journal La Caricature in 1833. It features the Marquis de La Fayette, a figure of the French Revolution, depicted in a state of troubled sleep. Daumier uses the visual language of political satire to comment on the political climate of the July Monarchy. The Marquis is shown reclining on a sofa, his body burdened by a large, pear-shaped weight resting upon his chest. This object serves as a visual metaphor for the political pressures and the weight of public expectation placed upon him during a period of significant social transition.

Daumier employs a sharp, observational style to render the scene. The lines are precise and descriptive, capturing the texture of the upholstery and the heavy folds of the subject's clothing. In the background, a framed image depicts a small figure, further contextualising the political nature of the work. The composition is balanced, with the central figure occupying the majority of the frame, drawing the viewer's attention to the physical manifestation of his distress. The work reflects the artist's ability to translate complex political grievances into accessible, visual narratives. By choosing the medium of lithography, Daumier was able to reach a wide audience, ensuring his critique of contemporary figures and policies circulated throughout Paris. This print remains a clear example of the satirical output that defined Daumier's career, demonstrating his technical skill and his sharp eye for the absurdities of political life in nineteenth-century France.