Exposition universelle: Quel sont les plus Chinois?

Art Historical Context

This 1867 wood engraving, created by Charles Maurand after a design by Honoré Daumier, captures the spirit of the Paris Exposition Universelle, the grand world’s fair that drew millions to celebrate industrial and cultural achievements. Daumier, a leading French caricaturist of the 19th century, frequently used satire to comment on contemporary events, and the print’s playful title—“Who Are the Most Chinese?”—suggests a humorous take on the fair’s international displays, particularly those featuring Chinese art, goods, and visitors that fascinated European audiences. Wood engraving was a popular medium for reproducing illustrations in periodicals and portfolios, allowing Daumier’s sharp observations to reach a wide public. The technique’s fine lines and tonal contrasts lent themselves well to capturing the bustling energy of the exposition while delivering witty social commentary. Now part of the National Gallery of Art’s collection through the gift of Arthur and Charlotte Vershbow, the print offers today’s visitors a lively glimpse into 19th-century cultural exchanges and the enduring power of caricature to reflect society’s curiosities and contradictions.