Winter's departure, from 'News of the day,' published in Le Charivari, March 9, 1864
Original title: Winter's departure, from 'News of the day,' published in Le Charivari, March 9, 1864
kurzbeschreibung
Honoré Daumier’s lithograph from 1864 is a humorous caricature: Winter appears as a tired, emaciated figure in fur, watched by two uniformed men with surprised and worried expressions. The print belongs to the series 'News of the Day' and was published in the satirical journal Le Charivari.
Description
In the left foreground stand two uniformed men, their gaze fixed on a third figure—the personification of Winter. Wrapped in fur, this figure looks exhausted and gaunt, embodying the harshness of the cold season. The soldiers show astonishment and concern. A sign reading 'POLOGNE' in the background points to Poland as the setting. Below, a text block humorously explains the change of seasons. The layout is clearly structured, the figures precisely outlined, and the black-and-white lithograph emphasizes the caricatural features.
Context
The lithograph was created against the backdrop of the January Uprising in Poland (1863–1864), when Russia crushed the Polish independence movement. Daumier, known for his political and social caricatures, commented on European events from a French perspective. The print appeared in Le Charivari, an influential satirical newspaper with a bourgeois readership. The depiction of Winter as a weakened figure can be read as an allusion to the political situation, though Daumier’s exact intention is not definitively documented.
Impact
The caricature combines comedy with reflection by presenting Winter as a suffering, humanized figure. The surprised glances of the uniformed men reinforce the ironic tone and prompt thought about the change of seasons and its political undertones. The clear linework and reduced imagery make the print immediately accessible and typical of Daumier’s style.
Technique
The lithograph was printed on newsprint; it is the second state of two (Delteil). The process allowed fine hatching and precise contours that emphasize the caricatural faces and the texture of the fur. The black-and-white reproduction underlines the graphic impact and the satirical character of the print.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)