Plate 20: To anyone with capital to lose, from 'Caricaturana,' published in Les Robert Macaires
Original title: Plate 20: To anyone with capital to lose, from 'Caricaturana,' published in Les Robert Macaires
kurzbeschreibung
Honoré Daumier made this lithograph in 1838, and it belongs to his 'Caricaturana' series, issued in the publication 'Les Robert Macaires'. Two figures fill the sheet: one holds up a large document covered in financial terms. The print is a lithograph on wove paper.
Description
A woman in a pale, long coat presents a large sheet of paper, while a second figure in darker clothing leans against a wall and looks at it. Written across the paper are words such as 'SOCIETÉ', 'BENEFICES', 'HAZARD' and 'ACTION', along with the number '20000'. A wall carrying further inscriptions on economic matters forms the backdrop. At the bottom, a boxed panel of French text has been added.
Context
Daumier brought out this lithograph in 1838 as part of 'Caricaturana', published in the satirical journal 'Les Robert Macaires'. The series followed the schemes of the fictional Robert Macaire, an embodiment of fraud and speculation. This caricature speaks to the financial speculation and share dealing of France's July Monarchy, which ruined many investors.
Impact
The plain layout and the grey monochrome tones give the scene a sober, focused air. The woman's gesture of displaying the sheet lends the image an ironic twist and prompts reflection on the risks of putting capital to work.
Technique
For this lithograph on wove paper, greasy chalk is drawn on a stone and the image then printed. The grey tones and shading come from variations in printing pressure and from the paper itself, which holds fine detail.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)