“- I'll go public with my business.... this is the right moment... I form a company with a capital of 3 Million Francs..... for the production of artifical plums!.... - I can already see you coming, you will ask me for the kernels,” plate 1 from Les Faiseurs D'affaires 1856

This lithograph by Honoré Daumier, made during the mid-19th century in France, critiques the burgeoning capitalist ventures of the time. Daumier was known for his sharp social commentary, often targeting the bourgeoisie. Here, we see a group of men, likely businessmen, engrossed in a conversation about a new enterprise: the production of artificial plums. The text below the image adds a layer of irony, hinting at the absurdity and potential deceit within such ventures. It references forming a company with a capital of three million francs just to produce artificial plums! The lithograph highlights how the pursuit of wealth can lead to ridiculous and unsustainable schemes. Daumier uses caricature to expose the greed and folly of the business class. The figures are drawn with exaggerated features, emphasizing their self-importance and lack of genuine substance. This print isn't just a humorous scene; it's a reflection on the values of a society increasingly driven by economic speculation, inviting us to question the true value of such enterprises.