Project for the statue of peace at the Universal Exposition, from 'News of the day,' published in Le Charivari, January 5, 1867

Art Historical Context

This lithograph, titled *Project for the Statue of Peace the Universal Exposition*, was created by the renowned French caricaturisté Daumier (with possible contributions from Arnaud de Vresse and Destouches) and published in the satirical newspaper *Le Charari* on January 5, 1867. Daumier, a master of biting social commentary, produced thousands of such prints during his career, often critiquing politics, society, and hypocrisy under Napoleon III's Second Empire. This second-state impression on newsprint captures the era's tensions, as France prepared for the 1867 Paris Universal Exposition—a grand showcase of progress amid growing militarism leading to the Franco-Prussian War. The image humorously proposes a "statue of peace" ironically constructed from cannons, with women laboring on the project (as suggested by the tags). Daumier's sharp wit highlights the absurdity of peace rhetoric in a time of arms buildup, using exaggerated forms and dynamic compositions typical of his lithographic style. Lithography allowed for affordable, mass-produced satire, making his critiques accessible to the public via inexpensive newsprint. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (Bequest of Edwin De T. Bechtel, 1957), this 9 3/8 × 8 5/16 in. work exemplifies 19th-century caricature's role in shaping public opinion, blending artistry with activism in a compact, powerful format.

About the Artist

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

French, Marseilles 1808–1879 Valmondois|Paris|