Robert Macaire bij zijn stervende oom 1837

Honoré Daumier made this lithograph, "Robert Macaire bij zijn stervende oom," sometime in the 19th century. It depicts a scene of supposed mourning, but it's clear through Daumier's artistry that something is amiss. Daumier was a master of social satire in France. Through the figure of Robert Macaire, he critiqued the bourgeoisie and the corruption of the upper classes. Macaire, with his exaggerated expressions and gestures, embodies greed and hypocrisy, key targets for Daumier. The dying uncle represents the vulnerability of the old order, ripe for exploitation by the new, moneyed class. Daumier's work frequently appeared in journals like "Le Charivari," making his art accessible and directly engaged with public opinion. By examining publications of the era we get a sense of the political climate in France at the time, and can discover contemporary interpretations of Daumier's stinging commentaries on the injustices of French society.