Poor old chap!, from 'News of the day,' published in Le Charivari, January 26, 1869
January 26, 1869
Medium
Lithograph on newsprint; third state of three (Delteil)
Dimensions
Image: 9 7/16 × 8 1/8 in. (24 × 20.6 cm) Sheet: 11 1/2 × 9 3/16 in. (29.2 × 23.3 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Edwin De T. Bechtel, 1957
Accession Number
57.650.288
Tags
Art Historical Context
**Poor Old Chap!** (1869) is a lively lithograph by Honoré Daumier the master of French caricature, published in the satirical newspaper *Le Charivari* as part of its "News of the Day series on January 26. Daumier, often collaborating under pseudonyms like Arnaud deresse or Destouches, the absurdities of Second Empire society with sharp wit. This third-state impression on newsprint—inexpensive and ephemeral—allowed his biting commentary to reach everyday readers, poking fun at human foibles amid the opulent yet hypocritical world of Napoleon III's France. The image likely depicts a hapless ol...
About the Artist
Arnaud de Vresse|Destouches|Honoré Daumier (French|French|French) · 1808 |1800 |1856 –1879 |1900 |1870
French, Marseilles 1808–1879 Valmondois|Paris|