Not too short please, from 'News of the day,' published in "Le Charivari"
August 23, 1869
Medium
Lithograph on wove paper; second state of two (Delteil)
Dimensions
Image: 9 7/16 in. × 8 in. (23.9 × 20.3 cm) Sheet: 14 5/16 × 10 3/8 in. (36.4 × 26.3 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1922
Accession Number
22.61.123
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
Step into the satirical world of Honoré Daumier with *Not too short please, 'News of the day* published in the renowned French newspaper *Le Charivari* on August 23, 1869. Daumier, a master caricaturist of the 19th century, was celebrated for his biting social commentary through prints that captured the absurdities of Parisian life. This lithograph, featuring women—a recurring theme in his work—likely pokes fun at fashion trends or daily vanities during the Second Empire era, a time of opulent excess and political intrigue under Napoleon III. Printed as a lithograph on wove paper in the second state of two (as cataloged by Loys Delteil), the work exemplifies Daumier's virtuosic technique. Lithography allowed for rapid, affordable reproduction, making his sharp critiques accessible to a wide audience via newspapers like *Le Charivari*. The image measures 9 7/16 × 8 inches, with a sheet of 14 5/16 × 10 3/8 inches, perfect for the intimate scale of periodical satire. Collaborators Walter Frères and Arnaud de Vresse likely handled printing aspects, underscoring the collaborative nature of 19th-century printmaking. Acquired through the Rogers Fund in 1922 and housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, this piece highlights Daumier's enduring legacy. His expressive lines and exaggerated forms not only entertained but also critiqued societal norms, offering visitors a window into the humorous yet pointed discourse of 1860s France.
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...