What if I don't get re-elected!, from 'News of the day,' published in Le Charivari, March 3, 1869
Original title: What if I don't get re-elected!, from 'News of the day,' published in Le Charivari, March 3, 1869
kurzbeschreibung
A worried politician sits at the center of this 1869 lithograph by Honoré Daumier. Published in the satirical journal Le Charivari on March 3, 1869, the print belongs to the series 'News of the day' and is the second state of two (Delteil), combining lithography with pen and brown ink on newsprint.
Description
A bespectacled man in a suit sits at a table, his gaze fixed on a book, his expression thoughtful and anxious. Around him, several figures gather—some seated, others standing—suggesting a parliamentary or assembly setting. The layout is horizontal, with the seated man clearly the focal point in the foreground. Shades of gray dominate the monochromatic image; light is evenly distributed, and shadows are almost absent.
Context
Created in 1869, a time of political tension in France under Napoleon III, the print reflects Daumier's regular contributions of political caricatures to Le Charivari, a satirical newspaper. The lithograph takes up an MP's fear of not being reelected, a recurring theme in Daumier's work. The text at the bottom—'Si je n'allais pas être réélu!'—underscores the political message.
Impact
An ironic distance from the politician emerges, his worry in the face of the assembly behind him seeming almost ridiculous. The reduced color palette and clear outlines draw attention to the figure's expression and posture. Overall, the image conveys a skeptical attitude toward political actors.
Technique
This is a lithograph retouched with pen and brown ink on newsprint. The print is the second state of two, indicating that the plate was reworked. This technique allows for fine lines and shading, used here to render the face and clothing with subtle differentiation.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)