“Everything is Paid for? And We Didn't Insult Anyone… Bye,” plate 31 from Types Parisiens

Art Historical Context

Honoré Daumier, a master of 19th-century French satire, created *“Everything is Paid for And We Didn't Insult… Bye”* as plate 31 in theTypes Parisiens* series published on June 4, 1842. This lithograph captures the sharp wit for which Daumier was renowned, fun at Parisian bourgeoisie through exaggerated characters and ironic dialogue. Amid the July Monarchy's social tensions, Daumier's in periodicals like *Le Charivari* critiqued class pretensions, making art accessible via affordable prints. Printed in black ink with scraping on stone for subtle tonal effects on cream wove paper, the medium highlights lithography's revolutionary potential. Daumier, a pioneer, drew directly on the stone, allowing mass production while retaining expressive detail—here, the image measures 17 × 22.6 cm. Hand-added text and letterpress verso enhance its journalistic feel, blending image and narrative for biting commentary. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Prints and Drawings department, this piece exemplifies Daumier's enduring cultural impact: over 4,000 lithographs that humanized societal flaws, influencing modern caricature and social realism. Visitors, imagine the café chatter it mocked—timeless reminders of human folly!

About the Artist

Honoré-Victorin Daumier · 1808–1879

Honoré-Victorin Daumier (1808-1879) was a prolific French printmaker, caricaturist, painter, and sculptor whose works offered incisive commentary on the social and political life of 19th-century France. Known as the 'Michelangelo of Caricature,' Daumier produced over 4,000 lithographs, 500 paintings, 1,000 drawings, and 100 sculptures during his lifetime. His biting political satire led to his imp...