Using the free time the elections have given him, from News of the day, published in 'Le Charivari'
Original title: Using the free time the elections have given him, from News of the day, published in "Le Charivari"
kurzbeschreibung
Honoré Daumier made this lithograph in 1869: a satirical scene in which someone at a desk strikes a wooden block with a hammer. The print belongs to the series 'News of the day' and appeared in the magazine 'Le Charivari'.
Description
A figure sits at a desk, hammer raised against a block of wood. He wears a cap and seems lost in thought. Two other men in hats and traditional dress stand nearby, looking over at him. A window opens onto a street or square. The drawing is plain but detailed, as caricature of those years tended to be, and entirely in black and white.
Context
The print dates from 1869, a period of political upheaval in France. It was published in 'Le Charivari', a satirical magazine known for its political caricatures. Daumier used lithography to comment on social and political abuses. The caption 'Utilisant les loisirs que lui ont faits les élections' takes the election period as the occasion for the satirical portrayal.
Impact
By showing the figure engaged in an everyday task, the image creates an ironic distance from the political situation. Black and white and clear lines heighten the caricatural quality. The picture feels both absurd and reflective, and it draws a smile from the viewer.
Technique
The lithograph on newsprint survives in the second of two states. This process allowed fine lines and precise details to be reproduced. Daumier turned to it in order to respond quickly to current events.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)