Those who are about to die, salute thee, from 'News of the day,' published in Le Charivari, September 2, 1870
September 2, 1870
Medium
Lithograph on newsprint; second state of two (Delteil)
Dimensions
Image: 10 in. × 8 13/16 in. (25.4 × 22.4 cm) Sheet: 11 7/16 × 11 7/16 in. (29.1 × 29 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
57.650.535
Tags
Art Historical Context
Honoré Daumier's *Those who are about to die salute thee*, published in the satirical newspaper *Le Charari* on September , 1870, captures the grim irony of the Franco-Prussian War. title echoes the ancient Roman gladiators' fatal salute to the emperor—"Ave Caesar morituri te salut"—recast here to mock French soldiers facing probable doom. Printed amid the devastating Battle of Sedan (September 1–2), where Emperor Napoleon III surrendered to Prussian forces, this lithograph from the "News of the Day" series reflects Daumier's sharp social commentary on the war's futility and the regime's colla...
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...