Artwork
Robert Macaire Md de Bibles

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
Artist
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.



















