Honoré Daumier’s lithograph, “Un monsieur qui veut se donner la satisfaction …”, 1846

Honoré Daumier (aka Rogelin) (1808–1879)

“Un monsieur qui veut se donner la satisfaction d’avoir son masque” (A gentleman who enjoys the satisfaction of having his mask taken), 1846, plate 91 (stone number 923) from the series of 101 lithographs, “Les Beaux Jours de la Vie” (The Beautiful Days of Life), published and printed in Paris by Aubert & Cie (aka Gabriel Aubert; Aubert; Bureau de la Caricature; Maison Aubert; Veuve Aubert) (fl. 1829–1847) in “Le Chariavari” (10^th August,1846), page 3.

The Daumier Register advises that the prints in the series, “Les Beaux Jours de la Vie”, were intended to give an “insight into the calamities and misfortunes of the bourgeois as well as their little vanities” (http://www.daumier-register.org/werkview.php?key=1179 [see “Series Details”]). From what I understand, the advent of the railway and tourism, gave rise to an audience interested in what Parisian life as the Daumier Register explains: “The development of many new hotels and restaurants took some time and tourists had to deal with the uncertainty of getting a hotel room. The “prix fixe dinner” was a big success but due to the low quality of food, the guest often had to deal with unpleasant consequences after dinner. The imagination of the Parisian chefs knew no boundaries and meals made from cats, rabbits and other street game were sold as gourmet dinners. Daumier gives us insight into all these little mishaps and tricks.” (op. cit.)

Lithograph printed on wove (newsprint) paper with letterpress text verso, trimmed around the image and backed by a support sheet.

Size: (sheet) 31.9 x 22.2 cm.

Numbered and lettered in plate/stone above image: (centre) “LES BEAUX JOURS DE LA VIE”; (right) “N^o. 91”.

Numbered and lettered in plate/stone below image: (left) “923/ Chez Aubert Pl. de la Bourse, 29.”; (centre) “Un monsieur qui veut se donner la satisfaction d’avoir son masque.”; (right) “h. D./ Imp. d’Aubert & C^ie.”

State ii (of ii) with the addition of lettered publication details.

DR Number 1179 (Daumier Register http://www.daumier-register.org/login.php?startpage); Delteil Daumier IV.1179 ii/ii; Hazard & Delteil 816.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art and The National Gallery of Art (Washington) offer descriptions of this print: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/642820; https://www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.6188.html.

Condition: a strong and well-printed impression, trimmed close to the image with flattened centre-fold and letterpress text verso shining through. The sheet is in an excellent condition with no tears, holes, abrasions, stains, foxing or signs of handling and is laid upon a support of archival (millennium quality) washi paper.

I am selling this marvellously nightmarish lithograph showing a wilfully evil practitioner of the art of face casting plastering over the nostrils of a trapped, muted and now suffocating participant, for AU$232 in total (currently US$171.07/EUR156.71/GBP129.13 at the time of this listing) including postage and handling to anywhere in the world, but not (of course) any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries.

If you are interested in purchasing this original lithograph by one of the greatest of 19^th century French satirists—please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.