Artwork

Ne tirez pas!!!

Ne tirez pas!!!, by Honoré Daumier, ink, 1865
Ne tirez pas!!!, by Honoré Daumier, ink, 1865

Ne tirez pas!!! is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1865 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Ne tirez pas!

About this work

Overview

Ne tirez pas!!! is a lithograph created by French artist Honoré Daumier in 1865, exemplifying his practice of using art for social and political commentary.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a man in a long coat, hands raised in a gesture of appeal, facing a row of rifle-bearing soldiers. His fearful expression contrasts with the calm posture of his hands. Above him, "STOP" is prominently displayed. The image conveys Daumier's critique of state violence against civilians during a period of political turmoil in France.

Technique & Style

Executed in lithography, a medium chosen for its capacity to rapidly produce bold, widely disseminable images, *Ne tirez pas!!!* showcases Daumier's mastery of this technique to convey urgent social messages through stark, expressive visuals.

History & Provenance

Created amidst 19th-century French political unrest, the exact provenance of *Ne tirez pas!!!* is not detailed here, but its creation aligns with Daumier's long-standing critique of social injustices through his work for publications like *La Caricature* and *Le Charivari*.

Context

This work reflects Daumier's broader advocacy for republican democracy and his condemnation of the mistreatment of civilians by state forces, common themes in his caricatures targeting monarchy, aristocracy, and clergy.

Legacy

While specific legacy details of *Ne tirez pas!!!* are not provided, it contributes to Daumier's overall legacy as a pioneering figure in using lithography for political commentary, influencing future generations of artists engaged in social critique.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Honoré Daumier

Artist

Honoré Daumier

Honoré-Victorin Daumier was a French painter, sculptor, and printmaker, whose many works offer commentary on the social and political life in France, from the Revolution of 1830 to the fall of the Second French Empire in 1870.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.