Let's just hope that this devil Mars doesn't pull out of his muzzle, from "News of the Day"
Original title: Let's just hope that this devil Mars doesn't pull out of his muzzle, from "News of the Day"
kurzbeschreibung
Honoré Daumier's 1868 lithograph is a political caricature: a woman personifying Peace leads a bound Mars, the god of war, on a leash. The sheet belongs to the series 'News of the Day' and was printed in black and white on newsprint.
Description
A woman in a long robe, equipped with a palm frond and an olive branch, has slipped a leash around the neck of a kneeling, bearded man in armor. Recognizable as Mars, the warrior crawls on all fours and wears a cap. Behind the figures appears the word 'PAIX' (Peace). The arrangement is clearly centered, the lighting even and without harsh shadows. The style is caricatural and humorous, as was typical of nineteenth-century newspaper cartoons.
Context
Daumier drew the lithograph in July 1868 for the satirical magazine 'Le Charivari', during a phase of political tension in France. The series 'News of the Day' took up current events. When the war god Mars appears as a tame animal, it points to the precarious state of peace in Europe. The sheet exists in two states; this second state is held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Impact
The clear visual language and the contrast between the calm allegory of peace and the crawling, bound Mars make the caricature effective. It carries an ironic message about the fragility of peace that remains understandable today. Looking at it brings a smile, while the sheet also prompts reflection on the political situation.
Technique
The lithograph was printed on newsprint — a process typical of Daumier that allowed for rapid, mass distribution. Fine lines and hatching capture the contours and details of the figures precisely. The black-and-white print contributes to the caricature's clear legibility.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)