In Spain - Christian charity, from 'News of the day,' published in Le Charivari, May 29, 1872
Original title: In Spain - Christian charity, from 'News of the day,' published in Le Charivari, May 29, 1872
kurzbeschreibung
A hooded figure takes aim with a smoking gun at someone huddled on a rock inside a cave. Honoré Daumier captured this scene in an 1872 lithograph, part of the 'Tagesneuigkeiten' series and presented here as a first-state proof.
Description
The hooded figure points a weapon directly at a person sitting on a stone in a cave, dressed in dark clothing. Smoke curls from the gun, which has just been fired. A rock wall fills the background, giving the space depth. The layout is unbalanced: the eye is drawn to the armed figure and the weapon. Rendered in shades of gray, a somber mood prevails.
Context
On May 29, 1872, the lithograph appeared in the satirical journal 'Le Charivari.' Daumier used it to address the political and social conditions in Spain, where unrest and civil war were raging at the time. The title 'Christian Charity' is ironic, exposing the hypocrisy with which religious ideals are used to justify violence.
Impact
The gloomy atmosphere and gray tones feel oppressive. The irony of the title sharpens Daumier's social critique.
Technique
Lithograph on brown wove paper, executed in various shades of gray to bring out light and shadow. This is the first state of two—a unique proof (Delteil).
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)