Watch Your Rear!!!!, from "Le Miroir"

Watch Your Rear!!!!, from "Le Miroir" is a vigorous lithograph created by Eugène Delacroix in 1822. As an early example of the artist’s engagement with graphic arts, this piece demonstrates the expressive capabilities of the lithographic medium, presenting a dynamic scene of conflict and social satire. The work is documented as the only known state, underscoring its historical importance as a rare print from the formative period of the great Romantic painter.

The print immediately commands attention through its focus on caricature and raw emotion. The scene depicts an intense confrontation between two enraged men, characteristic of the era's appetite for sharp social commentary. One figure, positioned defensively, points a sword or saber sharply toward his adversary, who lunges aggressively forward. Delacroix’s masterful handling of line captures the immediate moment of escalating anger, using exaggerated facial expressions and dynamic postures to convey the high tension between the combatants. This focus on intense feeling aligns the piece with Romantic sensibilities, even within the context of popular, satirical prints.

Although known primarily for large-scale oil paintings, Delacroix created numerous significant prints throughout his career, exploring themes of fantasy, literature, and contemporary life. This specific print resides within the robust collection of European prints and drawings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Because of its age and significance, reproductions of this lithograph, alongside other important works by Delacroix, are frequently available in the public domain, making high-quality prints accessible for scholarly study and general appreciation worldwide.