Daumier - La Plainte en Adultere

A CHARGE OF ADULTERY. 'Magistrates, my client is absolutely sure of the fact. But this personal conviction of his was not sufficient for him. He wanted to share it with your tribunal, with the auditorium surrounding us, with all of France. This is the task I am trying to accomplish in the interest of my client, and I believe that I succeeded in opening everybody's eyes. Now my client needs only to see his social position reestablished by an authentic judgement, and you are by far too just, my Magistrates, if you would refuse to render him this last satisfaction.' On the left hand side is the Royal Stamp - this is sometimes found on the lithographs of Le Charivari and was a censor's stamp. From the French satirical journal 'Le Charivari', from a series titled 'Moeurs Conjugales' (Married Life) . Light folds as issued. A couple of minor marks top left.