“- No matter how much I rock him, it is impossible to make him fall asleep,” plate 105 from Actualités 1866

This lithograph, plate 105 from “Actualités”, was created by Honoré Daumier. The composition shows an exhausted woman, likely representing diplomacy, trying to lull a restless, agitated figure to sleep. The scene is rendered in sharp, contrasting lines, creating a visually tense atmosphere. The structure of the image uses caricature and dark humour to convey meaning. The "Diplomatie" figure’s attempts to pacify the wakeful figure is a striking visual metaphor. Through this, Daumier critiques power structures, questioning their effectiveness and sincerity. The cross-hatching and detailed line-work, typical of Daumier's style, create depth and texture, further emphasizing the characters' emotional and physical states. The print engages with the semiotic system of political cartoons. The formal elements of line and composition underscore the instability and absurdity of political dealings. The lithograph, therefore, is not just an aesthetic object but a critical commentary on the socio-political landscape of its time.