Suffrage universel (Universal Suffrage)

probably 1850

Honoré Daumier

Associated Names
Honoré Daumier

Artist, French, 1808 - 1879

This is a drawing showing a large scale balanced by two unequal forces. On the left side of the scale, various caricatured figures sit huddled together. On the right side, a robed figure stands confidently, holding an urn labeled "SUFFRAGES UNIVERSELS" and a large scroll or plaque that says "VOTE." The scale is clearly tipped in favor of the standing figure. The drawing uses fine lines and shading to create depth and highlights the disparity between the two sides of the scale.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    lithograph on wove paper

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    sheet: 35.7 × 27.9 cm (14 1/16 × 11 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1943.3.3201

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Delteil, no. 2000, State only

Artwork history & notes

Exhibition History

1958

  • Honoré Daumier Anniversary Exhibition, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 1958, no. 105.

Bibliography

1906

  • Delteil, Loys. Le peintre-graveur illustre. 31 vols. Paris: Published by the author, 1906-1926. Reprint. New York: Collectors Editions, Da Capo Press, 1969. Vol. 30 (Albert Besnard) is by Louis Godefroy.

Inscriptions

recto: in stone, at lower left: h Daumier; at top right in graphite in later hand: D 2000 / I; at bottom left in graphite in later hand: Le Suffrage universel (Seule epreuve connu?); at bottom right in graphite in later hand: (HH450); verso: at lower right in graphite in later hand: 5743 [underlined]

Markings

recto: none; verso: National Gallery of Art (Lugt 1932d)

Watermarks

none

Wikidata ID

Q64958255

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