Madame Prudhomme, they are reorganizing the army. It is only right that I serve my duty as a Zouave, from 'News of the day,' published in Le Charivari, November 28, 1866
Original title: Madame Prudhomme, they are reorganizing the army. It is only right that I serve my duty as a Zouave, from 'News of the day,' published in Le Charivari, November 28, 1866
kurzbeschreibung
Honoré Daumier made this lithograph in 1866 for the satirical journal Le Charivari. It belongs to the series 'News of the Day' and shows a woman and a Zouave in an interior. The print is the third and final state, issued on newsprint.
Description
A man in a Zouave uniform, with cap and striking collar, stands on the left; a woman in a long-sleeved dress and floor-length skirt faces him on the right. Their expressions suggest surprise or unease. A window and a picture on the wall form the backdrop. The black-and-white drawing is caricaturally exaggerated and humorous.
Context
On 28 November 1866 the sheet appeared in Le Charivari, famous for its political and social caricatures. The series 'News of the Day' took up current events—here the reorganization of the army, to which the soldier alludes. Zouaves, French colonial soldiers, were present in public discourse; the Franco-Prussian War did not begin until 1870, and in 1866 other military reforms were at the fore.
Impact
The exaggerated faces and the abrupt encounter between the two figures create a comic yet reflective mood. The contrast between uniform and civilian dress sharpens the satirical intent, questioning social roles and duties.
Technique
The lithograph was printed on newsprint, as was customary for satirical sheets at the time. The drawing was transferred with greasy chalk to the stone and from there to paper. The present impression is the third state of three, indicating later changes to the stone.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)