Abstract:
This lithograph is a portrait of Harlé Père. Jean Marie Harlé Père (1765-1838) was a liberal politician opposing the government. He served with interruptions as a Deputy for Calais from 1816-1838. He was notorious for interrupting his speeches in Parliament and blowing his nose in a noisy manner. He had his roots in rural France and was repeatedly elected as a Deputy between 1815 and 1837. According to the Charivari, he consumed enormous quantities of tobacco (snuff) which resulted in heavy sneezing during parliamentary sessions. The size of his nose was in direct relation to his snuff-passion.