Plate 10: Robert Macaire, solicitor, from 'Caricaturana,' published in Les Robert Macaires
Original title: Plate 10: Robert Macaire, solicitor, from 'Caricaturana,' published in Les Robert Macaires
kurzbeschreibung
Honoré Daumier's 1838 lithograph brings two top-hatted gentlemen face to face in a courtroom setting. Part of the 'Caricaturana' series, this impression is the second of three states (Delteil).
Description
Two figures dominate the image, dressed entirely in black with white shirts, waistcoats and tall hats. The man on the left carries a portfolio and extends his right hand toward the other's hand, while the latter holds a cane. A sign reading 'JUGEMENT' points to the courtroom. On the right, a small boy in a dark jacket and light hat watches the scene. The layout centres on the encounter between the two main figures; contours stay sharp, and light falls evenly without shadows.
Context
'Caricaturana' appeared in 1838 in the journal 'Les Robert Macaires', which satirically followed the exploits of the fictional rogue Robert Macaire. Daumier used these lithographs to attack corruption and abuses in the justice system and finance under the July Monarchy. Robert Macaire, impostor and swindler, embodied the moral decay of bourgeois society. The series belongs to Daumier's extensive output of political and social caricature.
Impact
Crisp outlines and the restriction to black and white make the print immediately legible. The caricatured faces give the scene a humorous yet critical tone, prompting reflection on the social conditions depicted.
Technique
The work was printed as a lithograph on wove paper, with greasy chalk applied to the stone and then pulled. This process allowed Daumier to achieve fine lines and gradations that enliven the caricatures. The second of three states indicates later reworking of the printing plate.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)