Robert-Macaire in gesprek met Bertrand voor de etalage van een prenthandel 1838

Honoré Daumier created this lithograph, *Robert-Macaire in gesprek met Bertrand voor de etalage van een prenthandel*, which translates to "Robert Macaire in conversation with Bertrand in front of a print shop window," during a period of significant social and political upheaval in 19th-century France. Daumier uses the characters Robert Macaire and Bertrand to satirize the bourgeoisie and the corrupt financial dealings of the time. Macaire, the con man, embodies the unscrupulous nature of the emerging capitalist class, while Bertrand, his naive accomplice, represents those easily exploited by the system. The artist's own experiences with censorship and social injustice deeply influenced his critical perspective. Notice how Daumier uses caricature to amplify the social commentary, exaggerating the physical traits and postures of his subjects to underscore their moral failings. This satirical lens allowed Daumier to address issues of class, power, and morality, holding a mirror to the social realities of his time.