They're talking about new elections. –Before I vote for a candidate, I want him to be examined by a doctor to make sure he is not declared invalid again, from 'News of the day,' published in Le Charivari, September 27, 1869
Original title: –They're talking about new elections. –Before I vote for a candidate, I want him to be examined by a doctor to make sure he is not declared invalid again, from 'News of the day,' published in Le Charivari, September 27, 1869
kurzbeschreibung
Honoré Daumier’s lithograph from 1869 shows two plainly dressed men at a table, exchanging a document. The sheet that the man on the left holds out to the man on the right refers to new elections, as the title suggests. This is the third state of three (Delteil), printed on newsprint.
Description
Two men face each other across a table. The left one holds up a paper and passes it to the right one, whose gaze is fixed on it. Both wear simple rural clothing; a glass of water stands on the table. A plain wooden wall forms the background, suggesting a modest setting. The black-and-white rendering stands out for its realistic facial features and detailed clothing. Even light without harsh shadows fills the view, typical of lithographs of the period.
Context
The lithograph was made during a phase of political tension in France, shortly before the end of the Second Empire. Daumier published it in the satirical journal Le Charivari, known for its political criticism. The print takes up the debate over new elections and the call for medical examinations of candidates—a hint at the unstable political situation. Daumier’s caricatures exposed social and political ills.
Impact
The realistic rendering and the plain setting give the scene immediacy and credibility. The calm layout draws the eye to the central document and the men’s dialogue, bringing out the political message. An ironic distance from events is palpable and prompts reflection.
Technique
Lithography, a common printing process at the time, allowed quick and inexpensive editions. Printing on newsprint points to its function as a satirical press illustration. In the third state of three (Delteil), slight changes from earlier impressions indicate careful revision. The technique makes fine lines and hatching visible in this print, grading tones with nuance.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)