Honoré DAUMIER, "Les cent et un Robert-Macaire", 1838 - Lot 107

Honoré DAUMIER, "Les cent et un Robert-Macaire", 1838 Publisher Aubert et compagnies (publishers of Musée pour rire) Illustrations from drawings by M.H. Daumier Bookplate of M. Henri Delor, civil court judge Condition : Spine and cover damaged, title illegible, brown spots and damp stains, soiling. 28 x 22 cm Note : An emblematic work of 19th-century social satire, Les cent et un Robert-Macaire is at the heart of the biting universe of Honoré Daumier, a major figure in French caricature. Through this now mythical character - an elegant, opportunistic and cynical swindler - the artist paints a sharp portrait of the bourgeoisie and the speculative excesses of his time. Published in the teeming context of the "Musée pour rire", this collection combines text and lithographs with a remarkable sense of observation and staging. Each plate, both expressive and narrative, bears witness to Daumier's graphic virtuosity and his critical eye on modern society. Highly sought-after by lovers of caricature, social history and bibliophily, this type of edition is a precious testimony to Parisian visual culture under the July Monarchy. Despite its used condition, this copy retains all its documentary interest and evocative power, offering a vivid immersion in the satirical spirit of the 19th century.