L'ours du nord, le plus désagréable de tous les ours connus

Executed in lithography, the work relies on the medium’s capacity for bold line work and stark contrast. Daumier’s characteristic use of exaggerated forms and caricature is evident in the bear’s anthropomorphic posture and the exaggerated gestures of the surrounding figures, reinforcing the satirical tone.

The print originates from Daumier’s mid‑19th‑century output, a period when he frequently employed lithography for political commentary. Details of its original publication and subsequent ownership remain limited, but it is catalogued among his series of socially critical prints.

Created during a time of political upheaval in France, the image reflects Daumier’s engagement with contemporary debates over authority and governance. The bear motif aligns with his broader practice of using animal allegory to lampoon figures of power, a common device in French caricature of the era.