The leapfrog game: Bend your head down! Again!
Original title: The leapfrog game: Bend your head down! Again!, from 'News of the day,' published in "Le Charivari"
kurzbeschreibung
This 1868 lithograph by Honoré Daumier captures a satirical encounter between a uniformed soldier in a plumed helmet and a woman poised to take a leap. The black-and-white print appeared in the newspaper Le Charivari as part of the series 'News of the day.'
Description
Two figures anchor the image: on the left, a soldier stands upright in uniform, his plumed helmet adding height, and points downward with one finger. To the right, a woman leans forward, head bowed, as if about to spring. Hints of newspaper articles in the background allude to the print's journalistic context. The caption reads 'LA PARTIE DE SAUTE-MOUTON. - Courbe la tête !...Encore !' (Leapfrog – Bend your head! Again!).
Context
Daumier made this lithograph for the satirical journal Le Charivari, where he regularly published caricatures on politics and society. The 'News of the day' series took aim at current events and everyday situations. The print is dated October 20, 1868, a period of change in France under Napoleon III. The confrontation between military and civilian may allude to the army's social standing, though the exact satirical target cannot be firmly established.
Impact
Clean lines and exaggerated postures immediately provoke amusement. The pairing of military authority and civilian submission creates an ironic tension that invites reflection on power relations. The black-and-white technique sharpens the graphic impact of the figures.
Technique
Daumier used lithography on newsprint—a process that allowed quick, inexpensive prints for the daily press. This is the second state of two (Delteil), indicating reworking of the printing plate. The format of about 24 × 22 cm was typical for caricatures in satirical journals.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)