Poor old chap!, from 'News of the day,' published in "Le Charivari"
Original title: Poor old chap!, from 'News of the day,' published in "Le Charivari"
kurzbeschreibung
Honoré Daumier's 1869 lithograph 'Armer alter Kerl!' (Poor old fellow!) caricatures an old man with a cane, a figure labeled 'CONFERENCE,' and a woman. Part of the series 'News of the day,' this print is the third and final state according to Delteil and was printed on newsprint.
Description
The layout feels deliberately off-balance. At left, an old man in a cap stands with a cane, looking upward with a worried expression. In the middle, the figure 'CONFERENCE' poses in formal attire, wearing glasses and a head covering. On the right, a woman in a long dress leans toward the left, grasps the old man's cane, and also looks concerned. The setting is bare—only ground and air are suggested, with no shadows.
Context
Daumier drew this sheet for the satirical journal 'Le Charivari,' for which he regularly produced political and social caricatures. The series 'News of the day' took up current events and social debates. The figure 'CONFERENCE' likely alludes to political gatherings or educational institutions. During this period, Daumier often addressed tensions between generations and genders.
Impact
Exaggerated facial features and the uneven distribution of figures give the caricature a humorous yet thoughtful tone. The interplay among the characters creates a tension that leaves viewers puzzling over the situation shown. The subdued grays heighten the concentrated mood.
Technique
Daumier used lithography for this print, a process based on the repulsion of greasy ink and water. Clear lines and varied gray tones result from different printing stages. It was printed on newsprint, as was customary for mass distribution in 'Le Charivari.'
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)