The son of Jean Baptiste Louis Daumier and Cécile Catherine Philip, he showed an artistic predisposition from a young age despite his father's reluctance. In 1823, he entered the Swiss Academy and began producing lithographs for the publisher Belliard.
His debut in political caricature was in 1829 with Charles Philipon for the magazine La Silhouette. He quickly became known for his satirical lithographs in La Caricature, in which he sharply criticized politicians. In 1832, his caricature depicting Louis-Philippe as Gargantua earned him a six-month prison sentence, the first in a series of imprisonments that demonstrated his political commitment.
The imposition of censorship in 1835 forced him to reorient his work towards the satire of bourgeois morals, an area he explored until 1848. During this period, he formed a lasting friendship with the art dealer Adolphe Beugniet, who acquired many drawings and supported his career.
His influence transcended his time: he notably encouraged the painter Paul Huet to take up political caricature. Daumier died in Valmondois in 1879, leaving behind a considerable artistic legacy that continues to influence the art of political caricature and social satire. His works are now held in numerous museums and collections around the world.
