This is my 'bullet,' from 'News of the day,' published in 'Le Charivari'
Original title: This is my "bullet," from 'News of the day,' published in "Le Charivari"
kurzbeschreibung
On November 20, 1869, Le Charivari published this lithograph by Honoré Daumier as part of his series 'Nachrichten des Tages' (News of the Day). It shows a voter holding a ballot paper outside a polling station—a satirical take on that year's French parliamentary elections.
Description
A man in shirt and trousers clutches a piece of paper labeled 'BULLETIN DE VOTE'; his expression betrays uncertainty or astonishment. Behind him, people stream toward a building marked 'ELECTION', on whose wall hang signs reading 'CANDIDAT'. Above it all appear the series title 'ACTUALITÉS' and the number '255'; at lower right is the number '62', and at lower left the signature 'V.D.'.
Context
Daumier made this print ahead of the 1869 French parliamentary elections, held during the Second Empire under Napoleon III. He issued it in his satirical series 'Actualités' in Le Charivari, a journal known for its political criticism. This is the second of two states, printed on wove paper.
Impact
Political satire meets a moment of personal insecurity here, prompting reflection on the act of voting. Because the layout remains spare, attention goes to the main figure, whose facial expression highlights the absurdity of the situation.
Technique
The image was printed as a lithograph on wove paper—a process Daumier often used, allowing fine lines and shading. The image measures 24 × 20.9 cm, the sheet 36.1 × 26.2 cm.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)