Well, my brave Englishman..., from 'News of the day,' published in Le Charivari, March 5, 1864
Original title: Well, my brave Englishman..., from 'News of the day,' published in Le Charivari, March 5, 1864
kurzbeschreibung
Unlike many contemporary caricatures, this 1864 lithograph by Honoré Daumier relies on the direct confrontation of two mismatched figures. It appeared in the satirical journal Le Charivari and pairs a black-and-white drawing with a humorous caption referring to the figure on the left. The work is executed as a lithograph on newsprint.
Description
Two figures face each other: on the left, a gaunt person in a striped shirt and cap; on the right, a stout figure in uniform with a plume. The right-hand figure seems to be addressing the left, and both are absorbed in conversation. The background stays sparse, suggesting a level ground or open square. Below the scene, a French text completes the image's message.
Context
On March 5, 1864, the lithograph appeared in the Parisian satirical journal Le Charivari, known for its political and social caricatures. Daumier created it for the series 'News of the day', which took up current events. The figure of the 'brave Englishman' points to the tense relations between France and Britain in the 1860s, possibly in connection with colonial conflicts.
Impact
The contrast between the thin, striped figure and the massive uniformed one produces immediate comic effect. The reduced black-and-white drawing draws attention to facial expression and posture, sharpening the exchange. The plain background reinforces concentration on the two figures and their interaction.
Technique
The print was made as a lithograph on newsprint, a standard process for 19th-century satirical journals. It is the second state of two (according to Delteil), indicating that the printing plate was reworked. The black-and-white design emphasizes the contrasts between the figures.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)