Soyez donc poli... i...

Daumée employed the lithographic process, drawing directly onto a stone with a greasy medium that allowed for swift, gestural lines. The resulting image is marked by loose, energetic strokes that convey movement and spontaneity, while the contrast of dark ink against the paper surface accentuates the caricatured facial features and exaggerated postures.

Produced during the early years of Louis‑Philippe’s July Monarchy, the work reflects Daumée’s broader campaign against the entrenched powers of monarchy, aristocracy, and clergy. His prints for La Caricature and Le Charivari routinely used humor to expose the pretensions of the ruling classes and to comment on the shifting social norms of post‑Revolutionary France.

Soyez donc poli... illustrates the potency of lithography as a vehicle for political satire in the nineteenth century, influencing later generations of cartoonists and social commentators. Daumée’s ability to blend rapid draftsmanship with incisive commentary cemented his reputation as a foundational figure in the development of modern caricature.