Poor old chap!, from 'News of the day,' published in Le Charivari, January 26, 1869

Art Historical Context

**Poor Old Chap!** (1869) is a lively lithograph by Honoré Daumier the master of French caricature, published in the satirical newspaper *Le Charivari* as part of its "News of the Day series on January 26. Daumier, often collaborating under pseudonyms like Arnaud deresse or Destouches, the absurdities of Second Empire society with sharp wit. This third-state impression on newsprint—inexpensive and ephemeral—allowed his biting commentary to reach everyday readers, poking fun at human foibles amid the opulent yet hypocritical world of Napoleon III's France. The image likely depicts a hapless older man amid domestic drama involving women, evoking sympathy with its title, *Poor old chap!*. Daumier's genius lay in his economical lines and exaggerated expressions, hallmarks of 19th-century lithography that made complex social critiques instantly accessible. Printed in small format (image 9 7/16 × 8 1/8 in.), it reflects the era's booming popular press, where satire challenged authority without direct censorship. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (Bequest of Edwin De T. Bechtel, 1957), this work exemplifies Daumier's prodigious output—over 4,000 lithographs—blending humor and pathos to immortalize the everyday struggles of ordinary folk. A delightful glimpse into 1860s Parisian life!

About the Artist

Arnaud de Vresse|Destouches|Honoré Daumier (French|French|French) · 1808 |1800 |1856 –1879 |1900 |1870

French, Marseilles 1808–1879 Valmondois|Paris|