Honore Daumier, It's In the Best Condition, Lithograph, 1856

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Il est dans les meilleures conditions is an original b/w lithograph (plate n.8), from the satirical series Les Hyppophages, composed … Read more Il est dans les meilleures conditions is an original b/w lithograph (plate n.8), from the satirical series Les Hyppophages, composed of 10 plates of caricatures “de mœurs” (of behaviors), realized by Honoré Daumier (France, 1808-1879) and published on the French Periodical, Le Charivari in 1856. Printed by Destouches, and edited by the Maison Martinet, Paris. Image Dimensions: 20.5 x 26 cm Inscriptions: Monogrammed on stone, h.D, 970 Complete caption: Il est dans les meilleurs conditions…c’est le vrai moment pour le manger! Second State/II Reference: H. Delteil, Catalogue Raisonné, 2783. Superb original print, full margins, on thin vellum, slightly oxidized. With autograph certificate of circulation written in black ink, dated (Paris, September 19th, 1856)and signed by the lithographer Destouches, on the lower right margin. Small imperceptible tears ont he edges of the sheet. Representing a grotesque scene of a sale of a skeletal horse to hippophagus customers, this amusing plate is overall in excellent condition. Honoré-Victorin Daumier (Marseille,1808 – Valmondois, 1879) The French painter, sculptor, and printmaker, through his artworks, Honoré Daumier, offers us commentary on the social and political life in France, from the Revolution of 1830 to the fall of the second Napoleonic Empire in 1870. Caricatures and cartoons of political figures, satirizing the behavior of his countrymen in newspapers and periodicals was his main activity, for which he became popular in his lifetime and is remebered and appreciate still today. He was a republican democrat whose targets were the bourgeoisie, the church, lawyers and the judiciary, politicians, and the monarchy. His talented and satiric pencil had a very high cost on his life: he was jailed for several months in 1832 after the publication of Gargantua because of a offensive depiction of King Louis-Philippe. Charles Baudelaire noticed the Daumier's production and greatly admired his paintings, which were to have an influence on a younger generation of impressionist and postimpressionist painters. Later generations have come to recognize Daumier as one of the great French artists of the 19th century. Daumier was prolific artist that produced more than 100 sculptures, 500 paintings, 1000 drawings, 1000 wood engravings, and 4000 lithographs. 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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