The artwork, titled “Clément-François-Victor-Gabriel Prunelle (1774-1853), Doctor, Major of Lyon and Deputy,” was created circa 1832 by the artist Honore Daumier. Executed in clay, this piece belongs to the Realism art movement and is classified under the sculpture genre. Presently, the sculpture is exhibited at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, France.
The artwork is a clay bust portraying Clément-François-Victor-Gabriel Prunelle, a significant figure renowned for his roles as a doctor, the major of Lyon, and a deputy. The sculpture exhibits a rough, textured surface, capturing Prunelle’s likeness with exaggerated features, a common characteristic in Daumier’s works. His face, marked by prominent wrinkles and a notable expression, along with his disheveled hair and robust attire, embody the Realism movement’s devotion to depicting authenticity and the human condition. The piece’s raw, almost caricature-like portrayal conveys a vivid sense of personality and presence, firmly rooting it in the tradition of 19th-century realist sculpture.
