The cloud of ducks obscures the sky so much that poor Europe does not know what road to take, from 'News of the day,' published in Le Charivari, October 22, 1867

Art Historical Context

In the turbulent political landscape of 1867 Europe, French satirical master Honoré Daumier the era's confusion with this witty lithograph, *The cloud of ducks obsc the sky so much that Europe does not know what to take*. Published in the daily satirical newspaper *Le Charivari* as part of its "News of the day series, the image uses a flock of ducks—likely a playful metaphor for deceptive rumors, politicians, or diplomatic maneuvering—to symbolize how misinformation clouded judgment amid rising tensions leading toward the Franco-Prussian War. Daumier, often collaborating with artists like Destouches and Arnaud de Vresse, targeted the Second Empire's absurdities, blending sharp social commentary with visual humor that resonated with a wide Parisian readership. Rendered in lithograph with pen and brown ink on newsprint, this third-state proof exemplifies Daumier's revolutionary technique. Lithography allowed for rapid, affordable production of biting caricatures, making political satire accessible to the masses. The modest dimensions (image: 9 5/16 × 7 13/16 in.) belie its cultural punch, as Daumier's expressive lines and exaggerated forms critiqued power while evading censorship. Tags like "Ducks," "Satire," and "Women" hint at gendered or avian symbolism, perhaps mocking female figures in the political fray or the "fowl" state of affairs. Today, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Elisha Whittelsey Collection, this print reminds us of caricature's power to pierce through propaganda, offering a timeless lens on how "clouds" of uncertainty still bewilder nations.

About the Artist

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

French, Marseilles 1808–1879 Valmondois|Paris