Herbal Tea. “- Here you are, Monsieur, I thought I'd bring along the entire pack of hay so you can decide yourself about the strength of your tea,” plate 416 from Actualités 1857

“Herbal Tea” is a lithograph from Honoré Daumier’s series *Actualités*, created in 1857. The print, which is part of The Art Institute of Chicago's collection, depicts a humorous scene of a woman bringing a large bag of hay, presumably to be used in making a tea. The exaggerated figure of the woman and the surprised expression of the seated man contribute to the overall satirical tone of the work. Daumier was known for his social commentary, using his art to address issues of class, politics, and everyday life in 19th-century France. *Actualités* was a series of satirical prints that Daumier created in the late 1850s, and “Herbal Tea” is a quintessential example of his work.