On avait... joliment graissé le mât

Honoré Daumier

National Gallery of Art

This is a drawing of a scene depicting a pole with a climber reaching for the word "Liberté" under "Suffrage Universel," surrounded by a crowd. The drawing presents a central tall pole around which a figure is climbing and reaching towards the word "Liberté" at the top. The climber appears to be in an effortful pose, emphasizing the theme of striving for freedom or universal suffrage. The wording "Suffrage Universel" encircles the pole near the top. A crowd surrounds the base, with several individuals depicted with their heads turned upwards, some with raised arms and hats as if cheering or encouraging the climber. The lower portion includes a caption in French, adding context to the image. The style of the drawing is in a satirical or political cartoon tradition with an emphasis on gestural lines and stark contrasts.