UNE DEMANDE EN SÉPARATION (A Divorce Case)
Honore Daumier (1808-1879), UNE DEMANDE EN SÉPARATION (A Divorce Case), lithograph, 1845. Reference: Daumier Register, second state (of 2, with letters [initials in the plate]), Plate 40 of Les Beaux Jours de la Vie, published in Le Charivari, 8 7/8 x 9 1/4, the sheet 14 1/2 x 9 3/4 inches. In good condition, slight paper toning, horizontal fold.
A fine strong and clear impression of this iconic Daumier lawyer image, as published in Le Charivari, with the letterpress verso.
Here, as quoted from the Daumier Register is the translation:
Original Text: UNE DEMANDE EN SÉPARATION. – Mon client n’est pas un des maris présomptueux qui viennent se vanter devant vous d’avoir été trompés par leur femme, sans avoir autre chose que de vagues soupçons…. grâce au ciel nous avons des preuves… nous en avons à foison, et c’est le front levé et sans crainte d’un démenti, que monsieur peut annoncer hautement et en tout lieux… qu’il est… enfin ce qu’il est!….
Translation: A DIVORCE CASE. My client is not one of these presumptuous husbands who appear here before you in order to boast that they have been deceived by their wives and have only vague suspicions for saying so… Thank God, we have proof… More than that. We have ample proof, and holding his head high, and without fear of contradiction, the gentleman can say loud and clear that he… that he is… well, that he is what he is…
The complainant appears to be as baffled by his lawyer as he seems to have been by his wife.
$750