← Honoré Daumier

A page from history, from 'News of the day,' published in Le Charivari, November 16, 1870 (November 16, 1870, Met-Objekt 3633)

Original title: A page from history, from 'News of the day,' published in Le Charivari, November 16, 1870

Artist

Honoré Daumier

Date

November 16, 1870

Medium

Lithograph on wove paper; second state of three (Delteil)

Dimensions

Image: 9 in. × 7 3/8 in. (22.9 × 18.8 cm) Sheet: 17 1/8 × 11 13/16 in. (43.5 × 30 cm)

Credit line

The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1957

kurzbeschreibung

Honoré Daumier made this lithograph on 16 November 1870. It belongs to the series 'News of the Day', published in the journal Le Charivari. The image shows a slightly opened book lying on the ground, titled 'Les Châtiments' by Victor Hugo. The print is the second of three states (according to Delteil) and was printed on wove paper.

Description

A book titled 'Les Châtiments' rests on the ground. From above, a ray or energy descends and surrounds it. The pages appear to be in motion, as if driven by this force. The background remains dark and abstract, making the book the sole point of reference. The light from above emphasizes the structure of the volume and the dynamism of the pages. The layout is centred on the book, which is enclosed by the radiant energy.

Context

The lithograph was created during the Franco-Prussian War, in a period of political upheaval in France. Victor Hugo's poetry collection 'Les Châtiments', directed against Napoleon III, was regarded at the time as a sign of resistance and republican sentiment. That the work was published in Le Charivari, a satirical newspaper, underlines its political significance. Daumier was known for his political caricatures, which often dealt with censorship and repression.

Impact

The book, surrounded by dynamic energy, feels both dramatic and symbolic, highlighting the role of literature in political struggle. The expressive linework and strong light-dark contrasts give the print an intense, almost monumental presence. Through the central placement of the book and the abstract surroundings, the viewer's gaze is drawn directly to the subject.

Technique

The lithograph was printed on wove paper, a high-quality paper that reproduces fine details. Printing was in black and white, as was usual for lithographs of the period; tonal values were created through hatching and varying ink application. Daumier worked directly on the stone, which explains the expressive and spontaneous linework.

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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)