The reactionary press, trying in vain to jam the wheels, from 'News of the day,' published in "Le Charivari"
October 23, 1866
Medium
Lithograph and pen and brown ink on wove paper; second state of three, proof (Delteil)
Dimensions
Image: 10 1/16 × 8 3/16 in. (25.5 × 20.8 cm) Sheet: 12 1/2 × 10 3/16 in. (31.8 × 25.9 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1922
Accession Number
22.61.22
Tags
Art Historical Context
Honoré Daumier, the renowned 19th-century French caricist, created *The Reactionary Press, Trying inain to Jam the Wheels a sharp lithograph published in the satirical newspaper *Le Charari* on October , 1866. Part of the "News of Day" series, this second-state proof on wove paper captures Daumier's signature style dynamic, exaggerated figures blending realism with biting caricature. Men and women clutch flags, symbolizing political fervor, as reactionary journalists futilely obstruct the march of progress—depicted as unstoppable wheels. During Napoleon III's Second Empire, Daumier's work in ...
About the Artist
Honoré Daumier|Destouches|Arnaud de Vresse · 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...