Mr. POT DE NAZ..

Trustman, Benjamin A., Trustman, Julia M. · 1833

Caricature of Mr. De Podenas. Joseph Baron de Podenas (1782-1851) was described as an important but quite malicious politician. His name presented itself for various puns in the meaning of "pot of the nose". De Podenas came from a noble family from the area of Armagnac. While in the beginning of his career he was still involved in the fall of Charles X and might be described as a liberal, he soon changed (in 1833) towards the right-wing and eventually supported the Government of Louis-Philippe. The Charivari described him as being “self-important” and egocentric. His proportions were an easy prey to Daumier's art: A rather formless head topped by a strange looking tuft of hair. Podenas was defeated in the elections of 1834 and lost his seat as Deputy for Narbonne, which he had held since 1829.