Lithograph and letterpress on wove paper, 24.8 x 16.8 cm (lithograph). 1833. No. 2 from the series "Bal de la cour". In complete magazine of: Le Charivari, 2ème annèe, 5 Fevrier 1833. Reference: Delteil 137, Daumier register 137 ("rare").
In this series Daumier depicts several deputies and ministers attending the court ball in disguise. The depicted Marthe Camille Bachasson de Montalivet was not only a close ally of King Louis-Philippe, but also responsible for managing the palace kitchens. Here, too, the pear (French colloquial for "fool") is considered the symbol introduced by Daumier for the king, who had had the depiction of his personal features banned. "Montaugibet (Monte au gibet)" is a corruption of the name Montalivet and literally means "Go to the gallows".
Early and complete issues of the magazine "Le Charivari" are rare! "Le Charivari" was published by Charles Philipon and first appeared in 1832. In 1835, political caricatures were banned by the censors. In the short period up until then, Daumier created numerous controversial caricatures of political figures, with the vilification of the "Citizen King" Louis-Philippe I as a pear (= fool) standing out.
