Monseigneur le Duc d’Aumale, French Chromolithograph Caricature, 1884
€ 445
Original antique · The actual sheet photographed · Certificate of authenticity on request · Sold unframed · Worldwide shipping from € 15 (rates)
Date
1884
Mapmaker / artist
Antoine Bisetsky, France, dated 1884
Technique
Chromolithograph (facsimile of watercolor)
Sheet size
40 × 28.5 cm (15.7 × 11.2 in)
Condition
Good
Reference
BG-14232-5
What the condition grades mean
Excellent
Bright and clean, with no faults worth mentioning.
Very good
Only light signs of age, such as faint toning.
Good
Normal signs of age for a sheet of this period: toning, some foxing, small marks or neat old repairs.
Fair
Clear faults such as staining, tears or repairs, priced to match.
Every fault we see is written in the condition note, and the whole sheet is shown uncropped in the photos.
Condition
Age-related foxing and light spotting visible primarily within margins, with mild overall toning consistent with nineteenth-century paper. Colors remain strong and well preserved. Minor handling wear commensurate with age.
About this sheet
Monseigneur le Duc d’Aumale, French Belle Époque Satirical Chromolithograph, Album Comique, 1884
This richly detailed French chromolithograph caricature titled “Monseigneur le Duc d’Aumale” belongs to the illustrated satirical series Album Comique, produced in Paris during the late nineteenth century and attributed to the caricaturist Antoine Bisetsky (1817–1892). Executed as a facsimile after an original watercolor, the print combines refined chromolithographic technique with symbolic imagery reflecting the cultural and intellectual prestige associated with one of France’s notable aristocratic figures.
The composition presents the Duc d’Aumale seated in a monumental pose, surrounded by allegorical references to the arts, sciences, and intellectual pursuits. The figure is portrayed writing, emphasizing scholarship and patronage, while classical statues, scientific instruments, books, and cherubic figures populate the foreground. Architectural views in the background reinforce the academic and cultural context, suggesting the role of aristocratic leadership within artistic and intellectual life during the Belle Époque. Unlike the more humorous racing caricatures within the series, this plate carries a stronger symbolic narrative and historical gravitas, blending satire with respectful homage.
The chromolithograph displays subtle tonal gradation and layered color printing designed to replicate watercolor painting, highlighted by the printed inscription “Fac-similé d’Aquarelle.” Dated “10 Mai 1884” and marked as part of the first year (“1ère Année”) of the Album Comique series, this work reflects the broader ambition of the publication to portray prominent personalities across aristocratic, cultural, and social spheres. Such plates were issued individually and are now appreciated both for their historical relevance and decorative presence.
Decoratively, the composition’s complexity and narrative density give it strong visual impact, making it particularly suitable as a focal piece within a curated grouping of Belle Époque caricatures. The combination of architectural background, allegorical figures, and rich costume detail creates an engaging centerpiece that appeals to collectors interested in historical personalities and nineteenth-century French satire.
Condition report: Age-related foxing and light spotting visible primarily within margins, with mild overall toning consistent with nineteenth-century paper. Colors remain strong and well preserved. Minor handling wear commensurate with age.
Framing tips: A dark walnut or ebonized frame with a generous ivory mat enhances the classical character and balances the visual density of the composition. Suggested mat width approximately 6–8 cm (2.5–3 inches). Museum glass recommended.
