Je compte sur vous pour signer c. 19th century

Honoré Daumier created this lithograph, titled “Je compte sur vous pour signer,” as part of his series "Les Philanthropes du Jour." Daumier was a keen observer of 19th-century French society, and his artwork often served as social commentary. Here, Daumier directs our attention to issues of social justice and inequality by depicting a well-meaning bourgeois figure soliciting signatures for a petition against the death penalty. The juxtaposition of the suit-clad man with the incarcerated individuals highlights the stark contrast between the privileged and the marginalized. Daumier's focus on those behind bars asks us to think about the lived realities of people in prison and how these experiences intersect with class. “I am counting on you to sign my petition for the abolition of the death penalty,” he says, as if detached from the individuals who are actually affected. Through his satirical lens, Daumier prompts a reckoning with the emotional and personal dimensions of justice, urging us to consider the complexities of social reform.