A political-geographical anatomy lesson, from 'News of the day,' published in "Le Charivari"
August 16–17, 1866
Medium
Lithograph on wove paper; third state of three (Delteil)
Dimensions
Image: 8 7/16 × 8 11/16 in. (21.4 × 22.1 cm) Sheet: 14 1/8 × 10 1/2 in. (35.8 × 26.7 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1922
Accession Number
22.61.119
Tags
Art Historical Context
In the bustling world of 19th-century French satire, Honoré Daumier shines as a master caricaturist, and *A Political-Geographical Anatomy Lesson* from the *News of the Day* series inLe Charivari* his biting wit. Published on August 16–17, 1866, during Napoleon III's Second Empire, lithograph skewers the era's political absurdities. The title evokes a twisted classroom scene, likely dissecting the follies of power through a geographical lens—perhaps mocking imperial ambitions or electoral machinations—featuring men and women in exaggerated, expressive poses that tag it firmly as satire. Daumi...
About the Artist
Honoré Daumier|Arnaud de Vresse|Destouches · 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...