Exhibition explores creativity as a tool to navigate print censorship

New curator of prints and drawings mounts first McNay exhibition with bold perspectives

SAN ANTONIO (Aug. 25, 2025) – 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.

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.”

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.”

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.

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

Images available here.

Related Programs
Gallery Talk
Aug. 28 | 6-7 p.m.
Guests explore the exhibition guided by a museum educator and curator.

Second Thursday
Nov. 13 | 5-9 p.m.
Guests enjoy a free event featuring live performances, tours and activities that highlight themes from “Do Not Meddle With It!!: Print Censorship in 19th Century Paris.”

30th Anniversary of the McNay Print Fair
March 7-8, 2026 | Museum Hours
Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026, the McNay Print Fair continues to be the only of its kind in Texas and the American Southwest, bringing together major art dealers from across the United States to present hundreds of works to both novice and experienced collectors.

Find event details at mcnayart.org/events.

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About McNay Art Museum
The McNay Art Museum engages a diverse community in the discovery and enjoyment of the visual arts. Built in the 1920s by artist and educator Marion Koogler McNay, the Spanish Colonial Revival residence became the site of Texas’ first modern art museum when it opened in 1954. Today, 200,000 visitors a year enjoy works by modern masters including Paul Gauguin, Vincent van Gogh, Edward Hopper, Joan Mitchell, Alice Neel, Georgia O’Keeffe, Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. The 45,000-square-foot Jane & Arthur Stieren Center for Exhibitions, designed by internationally renowned French architect Jean-Paul Viguier, features major exhibitions annually. The 25 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds include sculptures by Willie Cole, Robert Indiana, Luis A. Jiménez Jr., Alejandro Martín, George Rickey, Joel Shapiro, Kiki Smith, Tom Wesselmann and others. For more information about the McNay, visit www.mcnayart.org.

The McNay is open Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday from Noon to 5 p.m.