HONORÉ DAUMIER (1808-1879)

Embrassons Nous

Paris, 1867

Lithograph

286 x 283 mm

Daumier produced around 5,000 caricatures during his career, which spanned an intense period of political unrest in France.

In 1867, in a bid to appear more liberal, Napoleon III lifted the censorship ban he had imposed 15 years earlier. This cartoon was published soon after in Le Charivari newspaper. Entitled ‘Embrassons-nous’ (Let Us Embrace), it shows a French solider throttling the personification of Prussia. Napoleon III’s government encouraged mild satire of this kind as an attempt to ease the seriousness of the situation. Mounting tension between the two countries would ultimately lead to the outbreak of war in July 1870.

Purchased 1996 (No. 96.6)

WORKS ON PAPER

We show a rotating selection of works on paper in our two dedicated exhibition spaces.If you wish to view a work not currently on display, you can make an appointment to see it in the Prints and Drawings Study Room, which is equipped with viewing lecterns and a study/seminar table.

 

The study room is open to students, scholars and members of the general public, individually or in small groups, by prior appointment only. The room has tables and chairs to facilitate private study or seminars.

PRINTS AND DRAWINGS STUDY ROOM

Open Monday to Friday, 10am – 1pm and 2 – 4.30pm
Groups welcome – but limited to 12 people at any one time, please!

 

Appointments: collections@barber.org.uk or +44 (0)121 414 7350