Artwork

Robert Macaire Md de Bibles

Robert Macaire Md de Bibles, by Honoré Daumier, ink, 1838
Robert Macaire Md de Bibles, by Honoré Daumier, ink, 1838

Robert Macaire Md de Bibles is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Honoré Daumier. It dates from 1838 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Robert Macaire Md de Bibles, a lithograph by Honoré Daumier, presents a scene of three men in a cluttered room, where one figure's dramatic gestures contrast with the seated figures surrounded by books and dinnerware.

Subject & Meaning

The artwork satirizes greedy salesmen of Daumier's era through caricature, emphasizing absurdity via exaggerated facial expressions and body language, particularly the standing figure's sales-like demeanor.

Technique & Style

Daumier employs bold caricature techniques, characterized by large hands, exaggerated facial features, and expressive postures, heightened by strategic use of light and shadow to amplify the comedic effect.

History & Provenance

No specific historical ownership or exhibition details are provided for this lithograph, focusing instead on its thematic relevance to Daumier's critiques of his contemporary society.

Context

Created in a time when lithography was a popular medium for social commentary, this work utilizes the format to critique the commercial excesses of the period, targeting the stereotype of the unscrupulous salesman.

Legacy

While specific legacy details are not outlined, the piece contributes to Daumier's reputation for satirical lithographs that continue to provide insight into 19th-century French societal critiques through art.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Honoré Daumier

Artist

Honoré Daumier

Honoré-Victorin Daumier was a French painter, sculptor, and printmaker, whose many works offer commentary on the social and political life in France, from the Revolution of 1830 to the fall of the Second French Empire in 1870.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.