by Honoré DAUMIER (Marseille 1808 - Valmondois 1879) "Robert Macaire devant ses Juges" (convicted Robert Macaire) Original lithograph from the collection entitled "Les Cents et Un Robert Macaire" published in Paris by the Aubert publishing house in 1839. Nice copy without the typographic text on the back, with some slight traces of foxing but overall in good condition. Daumier's original subject had always been published by Aubert in the satirical periodical "Le Chiarivari" in February 1837. Robert Macaire's character was born from the pen of the theatrical author Benjamin Antier (Paris 1787 - 1870) which makes him one of the caricatural figures most loved by the French public of the time. It is an unscrupulous businessman, almost a bandit, who insinuates himself into the most relevant social and economic situations of the Parisian society, boasting depending on the circumstances such as Doctor, Lawyer, Notary, Stock and Trade Agent and much more and leading to the paradox the less noble aspects. We find him at home on the Boulevards as in the clubs, on the stock exchange as in the court, his misdeeds are based on popular credulity but also on the vices and the wicked expectations of the wealthy classes, as shown by the different physiognomies of his "victims". Bibliography: Benezit "Dictionnaire des Peintres ..." Paris 1976, vol.3 pag.376. Beraldi "Les Graveurs du XIX siecle" Paris 1886 volume V pag. 99 and 124. Guex "Le Théatre et la société française de 1815 à 1848" Paris 1900 p. 101-4. Schrenk "Honoré Daumier. Das Lithographische Werk "Munchen 1977 vol.1 n ° 150. Measurements in mm: 285ca x 210ca (the sheet)