Which proves that physical imprisonment is not abolished everywhere, from 'News of the day,' published in Le Charivari, August 10, 1867

Art Historical Context

Honoré Daumier's lithograph *Which proves that physical imprisonment not abolished everywhere*, published the satirical newspaper *Le Charari* on August , 1867, captures the artist's signature bite against social injustices. As a leading figure in 19th-century French caricature Daumier used his platform in *News of the day to skewer the hypocrisies of the Empire under Napoleon III. The provocative title highlights ongoing debates about prison reform, implying that while progressive ideas touted the end of physical confinement, harsh realities persisted for many—likely men depicted in the tags, evoking cramped cells and human suffering. Rendered in lithography on newsprint, this fourth and final state (per Delteil's catalog) showcases Daumier's masterful technique: bold, fluid lines and dramatic contrasts that convey emotion with economy, perfect for mass circulation. Measuring about 9½ by 8⅜ inches, the image's intimate scale amplified its punch on the page. Today, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (gift of Harry G. Friedman, 1954), it exemplifies how prints democratized critique, influencing later social realism and reminding us of art's power to challenge authority.

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...