← Honoré Daumier

Robert Macaire: Well, well, it seems he's allowed to return! Maybe I should apply for my old position as manager, from "News of the day"

Original title: Robert Macaire: Well, well, it seems he's allowed to return! Maybe I should apply for my old position as manager, from "News of the day"

Artist

Honoré Daumier

Date

October 19, 1871

Medium

Lithograph on newsprint; second state of two (Delteil)

Dimensions

Image: 9 3/16 × 7 7/16 in. (23.4 × 18.9 cm) Sheet: 11 5/8 × 11 3/4 in. (29.5 × 29.9 cm)

Credit line

Bequest of Edwin De T. Bechtel, 1957

kurzbeschreibung

A newspaper sheet bearing the title 'L'AIGLE' is held in the hands of the caricature figure Robert Macaire — this is how Honoré Daumier's lithograph from 1871 presents itself. The sheet belongs to the series 'News of the Day' and was created as political satire in the period after the Franco-Prussian War.

Description

A single figure wearing a cap and jacket stands in the image, holding an open newspaper with the title 'L'AIGLE' in front of him. His facial expression reveals surprise or confusion. Black and white and in a caricatural style, the drawing emphasizes facial expression and gesture. Even lighting without visible shadows characterizes the view, as is typical for lithographs.

Context

On October 19, 1871, a few months after the end of the Franco-Prussian War and the Paris Commune, Daumier created this lithograph. Robert Macaire, a well-known rogue and impostor from the 19th century, was for Daumier a recurring allegory for corruption and political opportunism. The title hints at the return of a political figure, possibly in connection with the Third Republic.

Impact

Through the exaggerated facial expression and the ironic caption, the caricature initially appears humorous. At the same time, it exposes the absurdity of political turncoats. The reduced pictorial structure directs the gaze to the figure and thus strengthens the satirical message.

Technique

Lithograph on newsprint, executed in the second state of two (Delteil). The lithographic process allowed fine lines and shading, which were used for the caricatural rendering of face and clothing. The newsprint underlines the topical, journalistic character of the series.

AI-generated description text

Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)