These are responsible for those, from 'News of the day,' published in Le Charivari, February 9, 1871

Art Historical Context

Honoré Daumier's *These are responsible for those*, in the satirical newspaper *Le Charari* on February , 1871, captures the artist's sharp wit amid France's turbulent Franco-Prussian War. As a leading caricaturist of the 19th century, Daier used his Realist style to skewer social and political hypocrisies, often exaggerated figures and biting commentary. This lithograph from the "News of the Day" series contrasts indulgent pleasures—hinted at by its female nudes—with the era's grim realities, such as the Siege of Paris, embodying Daumier's role as a fearless critic of bourgeois excess. Printed on newsprint as the second state of four (per Delteil catalog), the work exemplifies lithography's power for rapid, affordable dissemination. Daumier's masterful technique—bold lines, dynamic shading, and expressive distortion—allowed mass production for *Le Charivari*'s readers, making elite satire accessible. At just 9 5/16 × 7 7/8 inches, its intimate scale belies its cultural punch, now preserved in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (Rogers Fund, 1922). This piece underscores lithography's golden age in French caricature, blending art with journalism to provoke public discourse during national crisis. Visitors will appreciate how Daumier's unflinching gaze on human folly remains timelessly relevant.

About the Artist

Honoré Daumier · 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...