Which proves that physical imprisonment is not abolished everywhere, from 'News of the day,' published in Le Charivari, August 10, 1867
August 10, 1867
Medium
Lithograph on newsprint; fourth state of four (Delteil)
Dimensions
Image: 9 11/16 × 8 3/8 in. (24.6 × 21.3 cm) Sheet: 11 1/2 × 11 11/16 in. (29.2 × 29.7 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Harry G. Friedman, 1954
Accession Number
54.557.4
Tags
Art Historical Context
Honoré Daumier's lithograph *Which proves that physical imprisonment not abolished everywhere*, published the satirical newspaper *Le Charari* on August , 1867, captures the artist's signature bite against social injustices. As a leading figure in 19th-century French caricature Daumier used his platform in *News of the day to skewer the hypocrisies of the Empire under Napoleon III. The provocative title highlights ongoing debates about prison reform, implying that while progressive ideas touted the end of physical confinement, harsh realities persisted for many—likely men depicted in the tags,...
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...