Honoré Daumier's "Farce Dramatique" Lithograph

Lithograph by Honoré Daumier entitled “Farce Dramatique” and dated 1841. Sur blanc impression. Portraying the fictional character Robert Macaire. The editors were Philipon and Aubert.

Some pencil markings on the back corner show Loys Delteil (L.D.) compiled the catalog, and the catalogue number of the print is 873.  It is the III/III state.

Below the image, the French to English translation is as follows:

Dramatic farce.

- Gently! Gently!? Do not raise the curtain, I am not playing -(the frightened Director rushing towards him). You must be joking, my dear Macaire, you must be joking? - Not at all, not at all! I will not play. - You will not play a similar trick to the theatre, to the author, to your poor colleagues? - Brrrrt! you are not honoring your engagements, so I have all the right to break mine, give me the leave! - I do not hold my engagements??

- No, you must pay me cash and you owe me!! - What? - You owe me 75 centimes.

Dimensions: Approximately 13 1/2" x 10 1/2"

Condition: VG. Some light creasing along the edges of the paper. Very little discoloration, if any.  Some more discoloration on the blank side. The lithograph image itself is in excellent condition considering its age.

Please look closely at the images to assess condition or feel free to email us for additional photos.

*Due to the fragile nature of vintage art and vintage items, the listings in the Bygone Goods section of the store are FINAL SALE and not refundable.  

About Daumier:

Honoré Daumier famously satirized France’s bourgeoisie and justice system, and masterfully exposed the misery of the masses through the emerging medium of lithography. Grotesque caricatures of government officials endeared him to the public, although one-too-many scathing renderings of King Louis-Philippe also landed him six months in prison. Thereafter, he stuck to the safer ground of deriding archetypal professionals such as doctors, professors, and especially lawyers and judges, whom he deemed cruel and pretentious. While his output of lithographs and illustrative drawings was most prodigious, Daumier also sculpted busts of members of parliament and painted religious and historical themes in the naturalist style, including many notable images of Don Quixote riding his horse. These late works were hardly recognized during his lifetime, yet are acclaimed today for their experimental techniques.