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Artwork

Ascension du Constitutionnel

French 19th Century , 1832

Ascension du Constitutionnel, by French 19th Century, ink, 1832
Ascension du Constitutionnel, by French 19th Century, ink, 1832

Ascension du Constitutionnel is an ink print by the Romanticist artist French 19th Century. It dates from 1832 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

The work titled *Ascension du Constitutionnel* is a lithographic print executed on wove paper. It presents a bustling, satirical tableau in which a well‑dressed figure is being hoisted upward by two winged beings while clutching a large volume. The composition is set against a darkened sky and a distant urban skyline, creating a sense of movement and tension.

Subject & Meaning

Below him, a smaller figure clings to his leg, and another character on the left gestures with a staff toward the scene.

The central figure, identified by his elaborate attire and the heavy book he bears, appears startled as he is lifted. Below him, a smaller figure clings to his leg, and another character on the left gestures with a staff toward the scene. The title and exaggerated gestures indicate a political caricature aimed at the newspaper or movement known as *Constitutionnel*, mocking its perceived ascent or influence.

Technique & Style

Created through lithography, the image relies on crisp, decisive lines and stark contrasts to convey drama. The use of winged allegorical figures and exaggerated poses reflects the satirical conventions of 19th‑century French print culture, where artists employed visual exaggeration to convey commentary quickly and humorously.

History & Provenance

The print originates from the period when lithography was a primary medium for political satire in France. While specific details of its creation date and ownership are not provided, such works were commonly distributed as broadsheets or pamphlets, circulating among readers of the *Constitutionnel* and its opponents.

Context

During the era of frequent press upheavals, newspapers like the *Constitutionnel* were both political actors and targets of ridicule. The image reflects the broader climate of public debate, where visual satire served as a rapid response to shifting political fortunes, often employing allegorical figures to symbolize forces such as liberty, ambition, or corruption.

Legacy

Prints of this type contributed to the visual language of political dissent, influencing later caricaturists who continued to blend allegory with current events. The lithograph remains a representative example of how print media functioned as a vehicle for immediate, accessible political commentary.

Artist & collection

Portrait of French 19th Century

Artist

French 19th Century

This sculptor liked to keep sharp tools in the studio and blunt ones in his pocket—his niece recalled finding him absentmindedly whittling a stick while talking philosophy.

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.In the collection of National Gallery of Art. Compiled & edited by , Editor & Founder.