The artwork “Men of the Day No. 04° – The Mob Rule (Henri Rochefort)” by James Tissot, created in 1870, belongs to the Realism art movement and falls within the caricature genre. This piece is part of the “Man of the Day (Caricatures)” series.
In the artwork, a man is depicted in a dynamic, exaggerated pose, suggestive of an intense and almost theatrical narrative. Dressed in formal attire complete with a suit, tie, and a buttoned vest, the figure appears to be lunging, with arms raised and hands poised as if in the midst of an emotional or physical outburst. His expression is intense, characterized by wide eyes and furrowed brows, amplifying the dramatic nature of the caricature. The background, though minimalistic, features a soft depiction of urban architecture, accentuating the figure as the focal point. Through exaggeration and dramatic flair, Tissot effectively captures the essence of ‘mob rule’ as interpreted through the figure of Henri Rochefort, potentially conveying a satirical commentary on contemporary societal or political issues.
