← Honoré Daumier

I'll never be able to wash all of this, from 'News of the day,' published in Le Charivari, May 20-21, 1872

Original title: I'll never be able to wash all of this, from 'News of the day,' published in Le Charivari, May 20-21, 1872

Artist

Honoré Daumier

Date

May 20–21, 1872

Medium

Lithograph on newsprint; second state of two (Delteil)

Dimensions

Image: 10 9/16 × 8 1/2 in. (26.8 × 21.6 cm) Sheet: 11 15/16 × 9 5/8 in. (30.3 × 24.4 cm)

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1922

kurzbeschreibung

Unlike many political caricatures of the period that rely on dense allegories, this print by Honoré Daumier centers on a single, massive figure. The 1872 lithograph shows an oversized, obese man standing before a pile of newspapers, looking resigned. It belongs to the series 'News of the Day' and appeared in the satirical journal Le Charivari.

Description

An oversized, bearded and corpulent figure dominates the image. In his right hand he holds a book, and his gaze seems pensive or resigned. He wears a simple shirt and trousers. Before him towers a large heap of newspapers bearing the words 'L'ÉTAT SALETÉ DE L'EMPIRE' (The filthy state of the empire). Shadowy buildings and windows suggest an urban setting. The layout is asymmetrical, drawing the eye to the figure and the stack of papers. Fine hatching and outlines create shading in monochrome.

Context

Three years after the fall of the Second French Empire under Napoleon III, Daumier made this lithograph in 1872. It addresses the political and social ills of the time. He published it in the satirical journal Le Charivari, for which he regularly drew caricatures. The caption alludes to corruption and moral decay of the empire, topics widely discussed in the press. Daumier's critical depictions of politics and society were often marked by humor and irony.

Impact

The oversized figure and the heap of newspapers are both comic and oppressive. They prompt the viewer to reflect on the political situation. The figure's resigned posture and the lettering on the papers heighten the satirical tone. Clear lines and Daumier's humorous, precise style define this monochrome print.

Technique

For this work Daumier used lithography on newsprint. In this process, a grease crayon is drawn on a stone and then printed. This allowed fast and inexpensive editions for the satirical journal. It is the second state of two (Delteil), indicating that the printing plate was reworked.

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