France preparing to get her candidates to pass muster under the measure of standards, plate 73 from Actualités

Printed in Daumier’s long-running sociopolitical series, Actualités, this lithograph questions whether any of the diminutive politicians seen here can possibly measure up to the high standards of the French government. The candidates glance nervously toward the measuring rod as a calm, classicizing personification of France administers the test. Daumier’s assessment? Total failure. Candidates must be at least this tall to go on this political ride.