If there weren't decent documentary sources for this thing existing I'd assume the artist was having a laugh at my expense.
This thing - the Taureau - was designed by Dupuy de Lôme.

It says here that "his early career was spent investigating ship resistance", and let me tell you I'm pretty damn resistant to whatever the hell he thought was going on here.
Taureau is notable for being the first purpose-designed steam ram. That's a bloody stupid idea as well, so presumably form followed function.

Also one source claims the tumblehome was to "prevent boarding", which I suspect overstates the enthusiasm of anyone to actually do so...
Dupuy de Lôme did go on to do more sensible things - for example La Gloire - but the French love of oddball ships certainly seems to start with his design for Taureau.

And it's fitting that this modern weirdo bears his name...
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