Already on her feet again!, from 'News of the day,' published in Le Charivari, July 19, 1871

Art Historical Context

Honoré Daumier, a master of 19th-century French caricature, created *Already on her feet again*, a lithograph published in the satirical newspaper *Le Charari* on July 19, 1871, as part of its "News of the Day series. This second-state impression on newsprint captures Daumier's signature style: bold, expressive lines and exaggerated figures that skewer social norms. Measuring just over 10 by 8 inches, the intimate scale suited its original newspaper format, making sharp commentary accessible to a wide Parisian audience. Set against the turbulent backdrop of post-Franco-Prussian War France and the recent Paris Commune uprising, Daumier's work often lampooned the bourgeoisie, politicians, and gender dynamics. The title slyly suggests a woman's resilient comeback—perhaps in a domestic spat or societal role—highlighting tensions between men and women through caricature. Tags like "Satire|Men|Women" underscore his incisive wit, using humor to critique everyday hypocrisies amid national upheaval. Lithography allowed Daumier to produce timely, mass-distributed prints, revolutionizing visual satire. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (Bequest of Edwin De T. Bechtel, 1957), this piece exemplifies how ephemera like newsprint lithographs preserved enduring cultural critique, inviting us to chuckle at history's absurdities.

About the Artist

Honoré Daumier · 1810–1879

Honoré-Victorin Daumier (1808-1879) was a prolific French printmaker, caricaturist, painter, and sculptor whose works offered incisive commentary on the social and political life of 19th-century France. Known as the 'Michelangelo of Caricature,' Daumier produced over 4,000 lithographs, 500 paintings, 1,000 drawings, and 100 sculptures during his lifetime. His biting political satire led to his imp...