A satirical 1858 lithograph by Honoré-Victorin Daumier from the En Chine series, depicting a humorous cross-cultural encounter through caricature.

This lithograph belongs to the series titled En Chine, published in 1858. Honoré-Victorin Daumier, a master of French caricature, uses this work to satirise contemporary European perceptions of foreign cultures. The scene depicts a comical encounter between two figures, one peering from a window and the other standing in a room, both rendered with the exaggerated features characteristic of Daumier's style. The caption plays on the absurdity of cross-cultural communication, noting that the second phrase was translated from Chinese by Lassagne, a satirical jab at the era's fascination with and misunderstanding of the East.

Daumier employs expressive, fluid lines to define the figures, capturing their awkward postures and grotesque facial expressions. The composition is simple, focusing the viewer's attention on the interaction between the two characters. The background is minimal, suggesting an interior space without distracting from the central figures. As a social commentator, Daumier frequently used his lithographs to critique the political and social climate of nineteenth-century France. This piece reflects his ability to combine sharp wit with technical skill in printmaking. The work is a fine example of the satirical print culture that flourished in Paris during the mid-nineteenth century, where artists used the medium to reach a broad audience through newspapers and journals. The print captures a moment of humorous misinterpretation, inviting the viewer to consider the biases inherent in the cultural exchanges of the time.