I can assure you, you'll be seated very comfortably!, from 'News of the day,' published in Le Charivari, September 29, 1871
Original title: I can assure you, you'll be seated very comfortably!, from 'News of the day,' published in Le Charivari, September 29, 1871
kurzbeschreibung
A woman personifying France offers a chair labeled 'Monarchie' to a figure called 'Droits' in this 1871 lithograph by Honoré Daumier, published in the satirical journal Le Charivari. The print, a lithograph on newsprint in the second of two states, measures 23.9 × 19.4 cm in the image area.
Description
On the left, a woman in long, traditional robes stands with the word 'France' written across her back. Facing her is a figure in a loose, untidy robe bearing the inscription 'Droits', who holds a chair labeled 'Monarchie'. The woman looks at the chair and says, 'Je vous assure que vous serez très bien assise.' The layout is symmetrical, the execution monochrome, and the style that of the political caricature of the period.
Context
The lithograph appeared on September 29, 1871, in the Parisian satirical journal Le Charivari, known for its political caricatures. It was made in the immediate aftermath of the Franco-Prussian War and the Paris Commune, when France was politically unstable. The figure 'Droits' alludes to the political rights that, after the fall of Napoleon III, pursued monarchist aims. Daumier, famous for his sharp political caricatures, here commented on the contemporary debate over a possible restoration of the monarchy.
Impact
The clear, symmetrical arrangement and the reduced monochrome execution make the caricature immediately legible. The ironic gesture of France personified offering the throne claimant a comfortable seat creates satirical tension. The caption reinforces the mocking tone and makes the political message unmistakable to the contemporary audience.
Technique
The print is a lithograph on newsprint, in the second of two known states. This printing process allowed fast and inexpensive reproduction for publication in the journal. Characteristic of Daumier's style is the line work, with which he created expressive figures and satirical details in just a few strokes.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)