In Le Ventre législatif (The legislative belly), one of Daumier's most celebrated prints, the artist groups together the characters whose features he has already caricatured in individual poses in various media. Now the combined presence in one chamber of these 'grotesque' and 'imbecilic' individuals directs a most devastating attack on the highest legislative body in France.
Amongst the various ministers of state are François Guizot, Persil, Adolphe Thiers, Félix Barthe, Clement Prunelle, Henry Gauthier and Count Horace Sebastiani.
The lithograph was issued in L'Association mensuelle in January 1834.