Ils prétendent qu'ils la soutiennent

Honoré Daumier

National Gallery of Art

This is a drawing of a group of caricatured figures interacting with a statue of a woman. Four figures with exaggerated facial features are energetically engaged around the statue, which sits atop a plinth marked with "République Française". The figures appear to be trying to either climb onto or pull at the base, and each figure is rendered with elongated and distorted proportions. The statue of the woman is depicted with classical features and draped attire, reminiscent of allegorical representations of republics or liberty, and holds a shield inscribed with the same "République Française". The setting appears to be humorous or critical in tone, likely commenting on political or social issues.