Le voici

Paris: Gabriel Aubert. 1830-1835.

Lithograph with hand colouring (255x190mm) by A. Menut. The image, from the satirical journal "La Caricature" shows a young woman at her dressing table looking towards the window with a closed curtain across it. The curtain opens to reveal a young man climbing in through the window. A rather naughty looking cat gives us, the viewer, a knowing look. These prints containing a door or window which opens to reveal a visual joke not anticipated by the principal image are a feature of "La Caricature". Mounted on white card but unframed.

Marie-Alexandre Alophe, 'Menut Alophe' was a nineteenth century French painter and lithographer. He studied painting and print making techniques in Paris under Paul Delaroche and Camille Roqueplan. His first lithograph was published around 1830, and after that date he was a frequent contributor to such journals as Revue des Peintres, L'Artiste and La Caricature. He continued to work as both an artist and illustrator until 1854. After that date, Marie-Alexandre Alophe founded and managed one of Paris's most influential photographic studios.

'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