Artwork
Why are they taking away my money...
Why are they taking away my money... is a print by the Impressionist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1854 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This lithograph, published in Le Charivari on June 17, 1854, is the 71st plate in Daumier’s series News of the Day.
About this work
Overview
Created for a satirical daily newspaper, it captures a moment of social tension through minimal detail and expressive figures.
This lithograph, published in Le Charivari on June 17, 1854, is the 71st plate in Daumier’s series News of the Day. Created for a satirical daily newspaper, it captures a moment of social tension through minimal detail and expressive figures. The work belongs to a set of 96 prints that responded to current events with biting visual commentary, typical of the paper’s political humor during the Second French Empire.
Subject & Meaning
The image contrasts two men: an elderly figure in a cap, gesturing sharply in protest, and a well-dressed, corpulent man in a top hat, calmly clutching a bundle of coins. The older man’s agitation suggests indignation over financial exploitation, while the wealthier figure’s composure implies indifference or complicity. The scene reflects public resentment toward economic inequality and perceived corruption among the elite.
Technique & Style
Daumier employed rapid, fluid lithographic lines to convey emotion with economy. Facial expressions and body posture carry the narrative, while background details are omitted. The contrast between the rough, textured figure of the old man and the smooth, solid form of the wealthy one enhances the social dichotomy. The style prioritizes immediacy and emotional impact over refinement, suited to the daily press.
History & Provenance
The print originated in Le Charivari, a Parisian satirical journal known for its political caricatures. Daumier contributed hundreds of such works between the 1830s and 1860s, often facing censorship. This piece was part of a serialized run, distributed widely to a reading public hungry for critique of the regime. Its survival reflects its cultural resonance and the journal’s archival importance.
Context
In 1854, France was under Napoleon III’s authoritarian rule, with rising taxes and public discontent. Le Charivari used humor to circumvent censorship, targeting bureaucrats, financiers, and the bourgeoisie. Daumier’s prints functioned as visual journalism, translating everyday grievances into accessible imagery. This work aligns with broader public frustration over fiscal policies that burdened the poor while enriching the powerful.
Legacy
Daumier’s News of the Day series influenced later generations of political illustrators and cartoonists by demonstrating how simple imagery could convey complex social critique. Though created for ephemeral publication, these prints are now valued for their historical insight and formal innovation. Their preservation in institutions like The Cleveland Museum of Art underscores their role in documenting 19th-century civic life.
Artist & collection
Artist
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.
