Je vous en prie, rentrez dans votre boite... 1869

"Je vous en prie, rentrez dans votre boîte..." (Please, get back in your box) is a satirical lithograph created by Honoré Daumier in 1869. This politically charged piece, like many of Daumier's works, utilizes caricature to convey his message. In the drawing, a personified Europe, dressed in a gown and crown, sits on a bench as a monstrous figure, perhaps representing the Ottoman Empire, appears from behind the bench. The caption reads: "Please, get back in your box, you are compromising my balance." This imagery critiques the Ottoman Empire’s involvement in Europe and emphasizes the perceived threat it posed to European stability during this period. The exaggerated features and bold lines employed by Daumier heighten the satirical nature of the artwork, serving to draw attention to the political tensions of the time.