Robert-Macaire, Commissionnaire. Que diable ! monsieur, vous dites ne payer que le samedi et voici trois samedis que je me présente pour une facture de 9f. 50 je ne puis jamais recevoir..... – Vous serez venu trop tôt, la caisse n’ouvre qu’à trois heures...... - Hé bien ! il est trois heures et quart. – C’est trop tard, la caisse ferme à trois heures précises..... que diable ! monsieur, tant pis pour vous ! il faut être exact ! venez à l’heure !
Robert-Macaire, Commissionnaire. Que diable ! monsieur, vous dites ne payer que le samedi et voici trois samedis que je me présente pour une facture de 9f. 50 je ne puis jamais recevoir..... – Vous serez venu trop tôt, la caisse n’ouvre qu’à trois heures...... - Hé bien ! il est trois heures et quart. – C’est trop tard, la caisse ferme à trois heures précises..... que diable ! monsieur, tant pis pour vous ! il faut être exact ! venez à l’heure !
Title (alt.):
Robert-Macaire, Commissioner. What the devil ! sir, you say only pay on Saturday and this is the third Saturday that I've come for a bill for 9 francs 50 cents that I can never seem to be able to get..... - You come too early, the cashier opens at three o'clock...... - Well then ! it is a quarter after three. - It is too late, the cashier closes precisely at three o'clock..... damn ! sire, too bad for you ! you should be punctual ! come on time !. Charivari
Description:
A man is complaining to Robert Macaire about trying to pay a bill and the cashier is always closed. Robert Macaire may seem to be a realistic figure, however one should remember that in reality he is an artificial personality, created in 1823 by Benjamin Antier for his play „ L’Auberge des Adrets“. The breakthrough came in 1834, when Frédéric Lemaitre used the names of Macaire and his somewhat simple partner Serres-Bertrand for his various comedies in Paris. The figure of Macaire goes back as far as 1371, when - as the legend goes - Aubri de Montdidier, a nobleman from the court of Charles V was assassinated by Macaire. The murder was vindicated by his dog, the only witness of the assassination. A duel between the dog and Macaire, who was armed with a cudgel, should settle the case. The dog killed Macaire, who confessed the murder before he died. Philipon was the author of all the texts of this series. It should be noted that Daumier did not monogram or sign the prints, presumable because Philipon wanted to document his position as author of the texts and as “inventor” of the series.
Copyright restrictions may apply. For permission to copy or use this image, contact the Robert D. Farber University Archives and Special Collections Department, Brandeis University Libraries. The following credit line must be included with each item used: Benjamin A. and Julia M. Trustman Collection of Honoré Daumier Lithographs, Robert D. Farber University Archives & Special Collections Department, Brandeis University.
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Place of origin:
Paris
Notes:
2nd state.
Published in: Le Charivari, June 22, 1838.
Notes (acquisition):
Donated by: Benjamin A. and Julia M. Trustman, 1959.
