Plate 31: Fortune makes one forget one's friends, from 'Caricaturana,' published in Les Robert Macaires
Original title: Plate 31: Fortune makes one forget one's friends, from 'Caricaturana,' published in Les Robert Macaires
kurzbeschreibung
Created in 1838, this lithograph by Honoré Daumier presents a woman and a young man in a sparse, dark room. It belongs to the 'Caricaturana' series and is the third of three states according to Delteil.
Description
Two figures dominate the image: on the left, a woman in a long-sleeved dress with rich patterned decoration; on the right, a young man holding a hat in his left hand and a purse in his right. She turns to him upright, while his face looks worried. The plain, dark background makes the figures stand out. The drawing remains in black and white, as is usual for lithographs of this period. Below the figures, a French dialogue text complements the scene.
Context
The print appeared in 1838 within the 'Caricaturana' series, published in the journal 'Les Robert Macaires'. Daumier worked on it during a time of intense political and social satire under the July Monarchy. Robert Macaire, a well-known theatrical figure, was seen as an emblem of charlatanism and speculation. The print deals with the fleeting nature of friendships in the face of material success.
Impact
The reduced layout directs the viewer's gaze straight to the expressions and gestures of the two people, heightening the emotional tension. The dark background reinforces the contemplative, almost melancholic character of the motif. Daumier's precise linework gives the caricature a serious, thoughtful tone.
Technique
For this sheet, Daumier used lithography on wove paper, a printing method common in the 19th century. It exists in three states, with the present example representing the third state, suggesting reworking of the plate. Fine hatching and clear contours characterize Daumier's lithographic technique.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)