Honoré Daumier

The other day, I pulled off another smart trick… I had set up a firm with a capital of ten million francs to exploit top boots in cardboard … I had placed only eight shares worth a petty 1200 francs… I called together my eight shareholders and held forth in something like the following manner: “Ah! Good-day ye strolling gentlemen, how handsome you are, how fine you seem!” I promised them more cheese than bread, I gave them a 50% dividend, I warmed them up a bit and let them simmer… The following day they couldn’t get hold of my shares fast enough, I placed all of them and at the next meeting I said: “The last time I did the books I made a mistake. I forgot to take into account the price of the cardboard and its fabrication. You must return the dividend I gave you, I’m going to hold it back… I put down nothing and kept back the r

1838

Scroll

Honoré Daumier

The other day, I pulled off another smart trick… I had set up a firm with a capital of ten million francs to exploit top boots in cardboard … I had placed only eight shares worth a petty 1200 francs… I called together my eight shareholders and held forth in something like the following manner: “Ah! Good-day ye strolling gentlemen, how handsome you are, how fine you seem!” I promised them more cheese than bread, I gave them a 50% dividend, I warmed them up a bit and let them simmer… The following day they couldn’t get hold of my shares fast enough, I placed all of them and at the next meeting I said: “The last time I did the books I made a mistake. I forgot to take into account the price of the cardboard and its fabrication. You must return the dividend I gave you, I’m going to hold it back… I put down nothing and kept back the r

Honoré Daumier

The other day, I pulled off another smart trick… I had set up a firm with a capital of ten million francs to exploit top boots in cardboard … I had placed only eight shares worth a petty 1200 francs… I called together my eight shareholders and held forth in something like the following manner: “Ah! Good-day ye strolling gentlemen, how handsome you are, how fine you seem!” I promised them more cheese than bread, I gave them a 50% dividend, I warmed them up a bit and let them simmer… The following day they couldn’t get hold of my shares fast enough, I placed all of them and at the next meeting I said: “The last time I did the books I made a mistake. I forgot to take into account the price of the cardboard and its fabrication. You must return the dividend I gave you, I’m going to hold it back… I put down nothing and kept back the r

1838

Physical Qualities Crayon lithograph with hand coloring, Sheet: 246 × 233 mm. (9 11/16 × 9 3/16 in.)

Portfolio/Series Plate 98 from the series "Caricaturana"

Credit Line Nelson and Juanita Greif Gutman Collection

Object Number 1963.313.39

Artist

Honoré Daumier

French, 1808-1879

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PRINTS, DRAWINGS & PHOTOGRAPHS

Honoré Daumier

Nadar Elevating Photography to Art

1862

Honoré Daumier

Preparing for the baccalaureate. - There are two ways in which you might pass your exams: the first way is to let someone else take your place; the second is to take them yourself. - I would like to take them myself. - Very good!... Do you know Greek? - No. - Latin? - None the more. - Excellent!... Do you know your Math? - Not at all. - What do you know then? - Nothing. - But you've 200 francs? - Of course! - Splendid... You'll be passed next Thursday. - You mean you're going to prepare me in eight days? - What do you think!!!!... It's true that I've taken on the responsibility for your success, but for teaching you... Oh no! Certainly not!!

1837

Charles Maurand and Honoré Daumier

Un Guichet de théatre.

1862

Honoré Daumier

Robert Macaire business agent. - By the devil! It's really admirable of you to break your back to pay off your debts, my good chap, wipe them out at once! - But how? - Good heavens! Bring me your books, I'll put them in order, it's my specialty, we'll settle for a few liabilities, a large number of assets, we'll assemble your creditors, we'll offer five percent to be paid over ten years, you won't give them anything during the ten years, in ten years' time you'll start again, your creditors will be dead, the debts forgotten and nobody will say a word about it.

1837

Unknown Artist and Honoré Daumier

Croquade Divers

1840

Honoré Daumier

Robert Macaire, sollicitor. - We've won, my dear fellow, won on every count! - And about time too. A case which has lasted ten years and has ruined me! - Better late than never! - How much did I get back in the end? - Here you are: The court awarded you 12'000 Fr, we totalled 13'500 Fr in expenses, you only owe me 1'500 Fr. - But that means I lose 1'500 Fr . - Yes, but you've won your case.

1836

Alfred Prunaire and Honoré Daumier

The Grand Stairway of the Palais de Justice

c. 1903

Honoré Daumier

How to Become a Great Mathematician. Monsieur Moutonnet, you have made yet another error in your calculations... copy out for me six times the verb: I have made a mistake in my addition! (Mr. Moutonnet, now furious, answers back with some signs, which really have very little in common with algebra)

1845

Alfred Prunaire and Honoré Daumier

The Grand Stairway of the Palais de Justice

c. 1903

Honoré Daumier

Robert Macaire, business agent. Yesterday I made a mistake when I said that your business is in good shape. It's detestable. The government owes you five hundred thousand francs, it's true, but the debt hasn't been recognized, there's a forfeiture today, you won't have a penny. However, come to think of it, there's Mr. de St. Bertrand, a rich capitalist, an imbecile, sell him your interests for a hundred crowns, that'll be a splendid deal... (aside) and not expensive.

1836

Alfred Prunaire and Honoré Daumier

The Grand Stairway of the Palais de Justice

n.d.

Honoré Daumier

Two capacities of the old regime. - How do you like that, Monsieur de Blois flotté.... nowadays anybody can become a deputy, even with a fortune of less than 50 Ecus! ...after all I had an income of 40,000 Francs.... so it was quite obvious that I understood all the problems.... my means simply made it possible.

1848