Honoré Daumier, Macédoine No. 10 Caricature, Lithograph, Mid-19th Century

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Lithograph on paper, printed in black from the satirical series Macédoine. Published by Chez Bauger, Rue du Croissant, Paris Printed … Read more Lithograph on paper, printed in black from the satirical series Macédoine. Published by Chez Bauger, Rue du Croissant, Paris Printed by Imp. d’Aubert & Cie This sharply observed lithograph belongs to Honoré Daumier’s celebrated Macédoine series, a body of work devoted to the incisive critique of bourgeois manners and domestic intrigue in mid-19th-century France. The composition is divided into two adjoining scenes, a narrative device frequently employed by Daumier to heighten dramatic irony and social commentary. At left, a young woman is shown ascending a staircase, her back turned, enveloped in soft chiaroscuro that suggests secrecy or emotional withdrawal. At right, two older women confer at a doorway, one whispering urgently into the ear of the other, while a caged bird hangs above them—an unmistakable symbol of confinement and social surveillance. The handwritten caption beneath the image, rendered in Daumier’s characteristic vernacular wit, reinforces the theme of romantic dismissal and social consequence. Executed with masterful economy of line, the figures are modeled through expressive contour and subtle tonal gradation, demonstrating Daumier’s exceptional ability to convey psychological depth through lithography. The exaggerated physiognomies, theatrical gestures, and carefully staged interior setting place the work firmly within the artist’s mature satirical style. Macédoine, No. 10 exemplifies Daumier’s role as one of the foremost visual chroniclers of 19th-century Parisian society, bridging caricature and fine art with unmatched acuity. Works from this series are held in major institutional collections, including the Bibliothèque nationale de France and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Condition: Generally good, with light toning and minor surface wear consistent with age and handling. Margins preserved; impression clear and well-balanced. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



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