The electoral machine gun. What a strewing of flowers.
Original title: The electoral machine gun. What a strewing of flowers., from 'News of the day,' published in Le Charivari, May 11, 1869
kurzbeschreibung
On May 11, 1869, this lithograph by Honoré Daumier appeared in the satirical journal Le Charivari. It shows a man on a podium operating a machine that fires flowers and ballots.
Description
A man crouches on a podium, handling a device shaped like a machine gun. From its muzzle burst flowers and voting slips—the flowers lie scattered, while the slips marked 'VOTE' whirl through the air. Behind him, other figures can be seen being struck by the projectiles. The arrangement is lively and focuses attention on the man and his apparatus. The image remains black and white, the light even, with no discernible shadows.
Context
Daumier drew this caricature for Le Charivari, a paper known for its political criticism. The lithograph came out on May 11, 1869, as the Second Empire under Napoleon III was nearing its end. Elections and political influence were among the most debated topics of the day. With this print, Daumier denounced how voters were manipulated through propaganda and gifts.
Impact
The combination of mechanical force and the harmless flower metaphor creates an ironic yet critical tone. The dynamic layout directs the eye to the absurdity of the political spectacle. Viewers are prompted to reflect on manipulation in the electoral process.
Technique
The print was produced as a lithograph on newsprint—a process that allowed quick and cheap reproduction. This is the second state of two known impressions (Delteil). The technique enabled fine lines and clear reproduction, as needed for printing in a daily newspaper.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)