Away with the ballast!, from 'News of the day,' published in "Le Charivari"

Art Historical Context

Step into the witty world of 19th-century French satire with *Away with the Ballast!*, a lithograph by master caricaturist Honoré Daum, published on August 12, 1869, in the pages of *Le Chariv*. This newspaper was a hotbed of political and social commentary during the Second French Empire, and Daumier, often collaborating with publishers like Walter Frères and Arnaud de Vresse, used his sharp eye to skewer the era's absurdities. The title evokes the drama of hot air ballooning—a popular spectacle of the time—where discarding ballast propels the craft skyward, likely a metaphor for politicians or officials jettisoning inconvenient truths or allies to stay afloat amid France's turbulent politics. Printed as a lithograph on wove paper in its second state (per Delteil's catalog), this work showcases Daumier's prowess in the medium. Lithography, invented decades earlier, allowed for bold, expressive lines and tonal gradations ideal for mass reproduction in satirical journals, reaching thousands of readers. At 9 7/16 × 8 1/4 inches, its compact image packs a punch, blending exaggerated figures of men with dynamic composition to heighten the humor and critique. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (Rogers Fund, 1922), this piece captures Daumier's Realist caricature style, influencing later cartoonists worldwide. It reminds us how art ballooned public discourse, poking fun at power while entertaining the masses.

About the Artist

Honoré Daumier|Walter Frères|Arnaud de Vresse · 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...