In Rome, a martyr of the year 1871, from 'News of the day,' published in Le Charivari, September 18, 1871
Original title: In Rome, a martyr of the year 1871, from 'News of the day,' published in Le Charivari, September 18, 1871
kurzbeschreibung
On 18 September 1871, Honoré Daumier drew this lithograph, which appeared in the magazine Le Charivari. Two occupants of a carriage are shown, their caricatured faces turned upward. With this print, Daumier offered a satirical contribution to the political entanglements of those months.
Description
Two figures have taken their places in the carriage, both wearing hats and jackets, suggesting a formal occasion. Drops on their faces read as sweat or tears; the gaze of both is directed upward, as if expecting something beyond the frame. Behind them, another carriage driver is visible, also with raised eyes. The rendering remains monochrome, with light falling evenly across the sheet and almost no shadows, giving the view a flat appearance. Exaggerated expressions and comic features define the caricatural style.
Context
The year 1871 was dominated by the Paris Commune and its bloody suppression when Daumier made this lithograph. Its publication in Le Charivari matched his habit of placing political caricatures in the satirical press. The title refers to the unrest in Italy after Rome fell to the Kingdom of Italy in 1870. Daumier used such prints to castigate social and political grievances through current events.
Impact
The exaggerated expressions and peculiar posture of the figures give the sheet a humorous, satirical tone. The upward gaze and tear-like details create an absurdity that prompts reflection. The ironic undertone characteristic of Daumier's caricatures remains palpable throughout.
Technique
The sheet was printed as a lithograph on newsprint; two states exist, and the present copy belongs to the second. The lithographic process produces fine lines and gradations typical of Daumier's hand. The monochrome layout corresponds to the prints of the period, with the lithograph capturing details precisely.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)