Damnation!..., from "News of the Day"
Original title: Damnation!..., from "News of the Day"
kurzbeschreibung
Honoré Daumier's lithograph 'Verdammt!...' from 1868 shows a dancing woman before a ballot box, threatened by a hand wielding a sword. The print belongs to the series 'News of the Day' and is here in the third of three states on newsprint.
Description
A woman in a flowing dress moves as if dancing, holding up a sheet of paper. Above her stands 'ESPAGNE', and to the side an urn inscribed 'URNE ELECTORAL'. From behind the urn, a hand with a drawn sword points threateningly at the woman. A text box with 'ACTUALITÉS' and the page number 255 tops the image, while at the bottom appears the exclamation '- Diantre!...'.
Context
The lithograph was made in December 1868 for the satirical magazine 'Le Charivari'. It addresses Spain's political situation after the 1868 revolution, when a provisional government took power. The dancing woman before the ballot box alludes to the uncertain future of the Spanish monarchy and the looming threat of civil war.
Impact
Tension arises between the woman's exuberant movement and the menacing sword gesture. Lightness and violence collide, making the political uncertainty palpable. Clean lines and a pared-down visual language give the print an immediate, incisive impact.
Technique
The print was issued as a lithograph on newsprint in three states. Daumier used crayon lithography, which allows fine shading and dynamic lines. The black-and-white printing heightens the satirical effect.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)