SAN ANTONIO, TX.- Known as the “Michelangelo of caricature,” Honoré Daumier famously satirized France’s 19th century bourgeoisie and government officials in a variety of mediums, including painting, prints and sculpture. Daumier’s 1834 lithograph “Ne vous y frottez pas!! Liberté de la presse (Do Not Meddle with It!! Freedom of the Press)” from the McNay Art Museum’s collection captures the spirit of bold creativity in the face of print censorship.

Deriving its title from Daumier’s work, the exhibition “Do Not Meddle With It!!: Print Censorship in 19th Century Paris” reveals the extraordinary creativity in 19th-century France during a time when the government censored printed images, particularly between 1820 and 1881. The exhibition, on view Aug. 21-Dec. 7, brings together artists who tackle censorship in innovative ways — from 19th-century French printmakers to contemporary voices.


Don’t Meddle With It!! Print Censorship in 19th Century Paris. Photo by Jacklyn Velez, courtesy of the McNay Art Museum.

Drawn primarily from the McNay’s collection of works on paper, the exhibition features critical images by Honoré Daumier and Édouard Manet in the context of prints made by their peers and later artists. The latter group includes Pablo Picasso, José Clemente Orozco and José Guadalupe Posada, who were inspired by how artists such as Manet and Daumier dealt with government censorship and used caricature to make protest art. In addition, more recent works by activist artists Guerrilla Girls and Donald Moffett add a contemporary lens to the presentation.

“One of the goals of this exhibition is to promote dialogue about the power of creative expression amid oppositional forces,” said Elizabeth Kathleen Mitchell, Ph.D., the McNay’s new curator of prints and drawings. “Works from our collection help illustrate the tension between expression and censorship, which we see recurring across centuries and countries.”


Don’t Meddle With It!! Print Censorship in 19th Century Paris. Photo by Jacklyn Velez, courtesy of the McNay Art Museum.

The exhibition is the first McNay exhibition for Mitchell, who joined the curatorial team on March 17. “I am excited to begin my work here with an exhibition that fosters understanding around expression, truth and power,” said Mitchell. “I look forward to creating meaningful encounters with art that illuminate big ideas and enhance the visitor experience.”

“In her debut exhibition, Elizabeth brings thoughtful curation and a strong viewpoint that will give visitors a sense of the courageous work that challenged censorship,” said René Paul Barilleaux, head of curatorial affairs. “We are pleased to see her vision come to life at this important time.”


Don’t Meddle With It!! Print Censorship in 19th Century Paris. Photo by Jacklyn Velez, courtesy of the McNay Art Museum.

Educational resources and merchandise for the exhibition will be available to the community. The audio guide features insights from Mitchell and community partners, which is available on the free Bloomberg Connects app. Coinciding with the opening of the exhibition, Mitchell will launch a video series, “Between Two Prints,” on social media in which she discusses works on view with San Antonio-based artists. Limited edition tote bags will be available at The McNay Store and online.

“Do Not Meddle With It!!: Print Censorship in 19th Century Paris” is organized for the McNay Art Museum by Elizabeth Kathleen Mitchell, Ph.D., curator of prints and drawings.


Don’t Meddle With It!! Print Censorship in 19th Century Paris. Photo by Jacklyn Velez, courtesy of the McNay Art Museum.

Support is provided by the Elizabeth Huth Coates Charitable Foundation of 1992.