Plate 28: Conscript replacement agency, from 'Caricaturana,' published in Les Robert Macaires
Original title: Plate 28: Conscript replacement agency, from 'Caricaturana,' published in Les Robert Macaires
kurzbeschreibung
A man in a long coat and hat throws both arms up, anchoring this 1838 lithograph by Honoré Daumier. He faces a petitioner, while a third figure to the right gestures with a stick. The print belongs to the 'Caricaturana' series, published in 'Les Robert Macaires', and takes aim at the practice of substitute recruitment.
Description
Above the group, a sign reads 'BUREAU DE REMPLACEMENT' next to a picture of a horse's head. Below, a text panel carries the title 'Bureau de remplacements militaires' and a long French explanation. The lithograph is monochrome, evenly lit, and drawn in a humorous caricatural style. The central official's outstretched hands dominate the arrangement, balancing the applicant on one side and the stick-wielding figure on the other.
Context
Daumier made this sheet in Paris in 1838, during a period of political and social tension following the July Revolution of 1830. For 'Caricaturana' he collaborated with the writer Charles Philipon; the series appeared in the satirical journal 'Le Charivari'. Substitute recruitment allowed wealthy conscripts to pay someone to serve in their place—a system often tied to corruption and injustice. Robert Macaire, a ruthless businessman, served as a recurring symbol for critiquing bourgeois society.
Impact
Exaggerated gestures and the symmetrical layout stick in the mind. The central figure hovers between authority and absurdity, making the satirical intent clear. The humorous style opens a way into social criticism without blunting its edge.
Technique
Daumier chose lithography on wove paper for his caricatures. The process allowed fine lines and rapid print runs, which helped wide distribution in journals. The monochrome printing heightens contrasts and the hatching characteristic of lithography.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)