I have filled you up full to the top. I wished it would crush you, from 'News of the day,' published in Le Charivari, August 2, 1871

Art Historical Context

Honoré Daumier's lithograph *I have filled you up to the top. I it would crush you*, the "News of the Day" in *Le Chariv* (August 2, 1871), exemplifies the artist's masterful satirical bite. Published amid the turbulent aftermath of the Franco-Prussian War and the Commune, *Le Charivari* was a daily French newspaper renowned for its politically charged caricatures. Daumier, a leading figure in 19th-century caricature, used his prints to skewer the powerful, often depicting bloated politicians or absurd social hypocrisies through exaggerated forms and wry captions. This second-state impression on newsprint captures Daumier's signature lithographic technique: fluid, expressive lines drawn directly on stone for rapid reproduction, allowing timely commentary on current events. The modest dimensions (image: 9¼ × 7½ in.) suited the newspaper format, making satire accessible to a broad urban audience. The provocative title hints at themes of excess and overload—likely targeting corrupt officials or the burdens of wartime politics—reflecting Daumier's lifelong critique of authority. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (Bequest of Edwin De T. Bechtel, 1957), this work highlights lithography's role in democratic dissent, blending artistry with activism to engage and provoke viewers.

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...