Robert Macaire Dentiste
Print
1837 (printed)
1837 (printed)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This print by Honoré Daumier is from a series of lithographs that show the character Robert Macaire in a variety of guises. Macaire, originally a character in a play, is a swindler who takes on a number of professions such as journalist, librarian and so on, always ruthlessly pursuing personal gain. Macaire's character symbolised the mood in France at the time of the July Monarchy of the 1830s and 1840s, when wealthy financiers and company owners dominated politics and looked after their own interests at the expense of others. In this print, Macaire is in the guise of a dentist. This print was a working document, coloured by the artist and printer Edward Bouvenne, that was to provide an example for other colourists to follow.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Title | Robert Macaire Dentiste (assigned by artist) |
Materials and techniques | Lithograph |
Brief description | Honoré Daumier; 'Robert Macaire Dentiste', lithograph, 1837 |
Physical description | Caricature of Robert Macaire as a Dentist. Colour tests in the margin for hand colouring. Inscribed in two margins 'Bouvenne' and 'Modele de la Grande Collection de 1839 ce 10 Obre 1838'. |
Dimensions |
|
Marks and inscriptions | 'Bouvenne/ Modele de la Grande Collection de 1839 ce 10 Obre 1838' (Textual information; in margin; inscribed) |
Gallery label | Most of Daumier’s prints were caricatures satirising contemporary French society and politics. He used the fictional character Robert Macaire in various guises – professor, doctor, banker and dentist – to embody the greed and corruption at the heart of Parisian political life. This proof has been hand-painted with watercolours as a model for the colourists in the printer’s workshop to copy.
(11/09/2017) |
Credit line | Purchased through the Julie and Robert Breckman Print Fund |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | This print by Honoré Daumier is from a series of lithographs that show the character Robert Macaire in a variety of guises. Macaire, originally a character in a play, is a swindler who takes on a number of professions such as journalist, librarian and so on, always ruthlessly pursuing personal gain. Macaire's character symbolised the mood in France at the time of the July Monarchy of the 1830s and 1840s, when wealthy financiers and company owners dominated politics and looked after their own interests at the expense of others. In this print, Macaire is in the guise of a dentist. This print was a working document, coloured by the artist and printer Edward Bouvenne, that was to provide an example for other colourists to follow. |
Collection | |
Accession number | E.831-2002 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
Record created | June 10, 2003 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSON