A Naples: Voyons, je lui fais grace ... c. 19th century

Here we see a lithograph by Honoré Daumier, likely made in France in the mid-19th century. The image depicts a brutal beating scene. A man is held down while others strike him with clubs, overseen by a figure in a box who seems to be giving orders. Daumier was known for his social and political commentary. The inscription below the image translates to "I'll pardon him... don't beat him for more than three-quarters of an hour!" This suggests a critique of the abuses of power and the corruption of justice. Consider the context: France had a long history of social inequality and political unrest, and Daumier used his art to expose the injustices he saw. His prints were often published in newspapers, reaching a wide audience and challenging the status quo. To fully understand Daumier's work, we might look to the popular press of the time. What kind of institutional setting enabled Daumier to create work like this? What were the prevailing views on the social role of art? These are just some of the questions that art historians try to answer.