Peace, as strong as the Chinese at the hippodrome... will she also be able to swallow sabre blades?, from 'News of the day,' published in Le Charivari, August 1, 1867
August 1, 1867
Medium
Lithograph on newsprint; second state of two (Delteil)
Dimensions
Image: 10 1/16 × 8 3/8 in. (25.6 × 21.3 cm) Sheet: 11 7/8 × 11 3/4 in. (30.1 × 29.9 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Edwin De T. Bechtel, 1957
Accession Number
57.650.249
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
This satirical lithograph, titled *Peace, as strong as the Chinese the hippodrome... will also be able to swallowre blades?*, was by Honoré Daum in collaboration with Arnaud de V and Destouches for the August 1, 1867, edition of *Le Chariv*'s "News of the day". Printed on newsprint as a second-state lithograph, it measures about 10 by 8 inches and captures the bustling energy of a 19th-century Parisian crowd at the hippodrome—a popular venue for circus spectacles. Daumier, a master of caricature during France's Second Empire, uses sharp lines and expressive figures to blend entertainment with biting commentary. The image draws on the era's fascination with exotic performers, particularly a strong "Chinese" woman (likely an Asian or costumed act) who swallows sabres amid an enthralled audience. The provocative title personifies "Peace"—a timely political metaphor—as this daring sword-swallower, questioning its resilience amid France's tense international relations in 1867. Daumier's lithographic technique, with its fluid ink and tonal contrasts on inexpensive newsprint, made such prints accessible, amplifying their satirical punch for everyday readers. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, this work exemplifies Daumier's genius for merging popular culture with critique, inviting viewers to ponder the spectacle of power and fragility in mid-19th-century Paris.
About the Artist
Honoré Daumier|Arnaud de Vresse|Destouches · 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...