Chez qui demandez vous?

Paris: Gabriel Aubert. 1830-1835.

Lithograph with hand colouring (255x190mm) by Eugene Forest. The image, from the satirical journal "La Caricature" shows a a closed door the upper half of which is glazed and behind which sits a sleeping man. The sign above the door reads "Parle z'o consierje SVP". The window opens to reveal the said concierge as a rude and angry and ill-tempered individual meeting any request with "Qui demandez vous?" Good to see the French hotels have changed little over the years. These prints containing a door or window which opens to reveal a visual joke (in this case a mild satirical dig at the rich and greedy) not anticipated by the principal image are a feature of "La Caricature". Mounted on white card but unframed.

'La Caricature', the satirical journal founded by Charles Philipon and published from 1830-35. It began, after the lifting of strict censorship at the July Revolution of 1830. It started as a largely non political magazine and this charming and amusing print is in that fairly gentle tradition. but adopted a more political tone after 1832 when it began its attack on Louis Philippe (famously portraying him as a pear). The journal was often shut down and it was forced to cease publication in 1835 following government legislation. Philipon himself was sent to prison. Distribution of the journal was undertaken by Philipon’s brother in law Gabriel Aubert.